Tree removal leaves locals stumped
BY KENJI SATO
Randwick residents have mourned the loss of dozens of Centennial Park trees, which were cut down over the weekend to make way for the construction of light rail along the north side of Alison Road.
Randwick Council had led a campaign to “save the trees” by shifting the light rail line to the south side of Alison Road, as was originally proposed by the state government in agreement with local council.
Randwick Greens Councillor Murray Matson told City Hub that he welcomed the arrival of light rail, but was “disappointed” with the state government’s decision to go ahead with the new route.
“I had hoped that the council would be able to build and maintain a constructive cooperative working relationship with the government on the issue of returning light rail to Randwick,” he said.”
“But the removal of the trees over the last week from Alison Road directly undermines the credibility of the development agreement that Randwick city council signed with the government.”
Clr Matson told City Hub that local council was still “willing and able to work with government”, and that council was continuing to negotiate with state government over the fate of ten additional trees that are scheduled for removal.
Transport NSW did not respond to City Hub’s request for comment, but have previously said that they would plant at least two trees for every small tree removed, four for every medium tree, and eight for every ‘significant’ tree.
Cyclist groups have also opposed the new light rail route, which will see large stretches of cycling infrastructure removed to make way for construction.
Transport for NSW has assured residents that the cycle paths will be replaced, but have not indicated what path the new cycleway will take.
Margaret Hoggs, co-founder of the Pedal Pushers bicycle fitting shop in Rosebery, told City Hub that cyclists were “furious” about the changes.
“This is a fiasco, an absolute fraud on the public. The community has lost its cycle path and the tree shade that went with it,” she said.
“We haven’t been told where the new path is going to go, but we know, logically, cyclists will be forced to go onto the road and cross the rail line, which is very dangerous.”
Ms Hogg told City Hub that the Centennial Park cycle path was an essential cycling artery for cyclists all throughout the eastern suburbs.
“It’s the way people get to TAFE, it’s the way they get through from Randwick, Coogee Beach, and all those people to commute to the university or to work in the city,” she said.
“But now, it’s not going to work. People can’t travel on those narrow roads safely, and we’ll lose cyclists. This isn’t good planning. This is horrendous.”
“The only reason we can see for it – because there’s no benefit to the community – is for the high-rise developers.”
