Tree retention and removal on the Caulfield to Dandenong project

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Tree retention and removal on the Caulfield to Dandenong project

[Title: Level Crossing Removal Project – Tree retention and removal Boyd Park, Neerim Road and Kitmont Street Murrumbeena]

[Vision: Workers looking at map]

It is important to note that regardless of the solution

[Title: Brett Summers, Project Manager]

[Vision: Interview with Brett Summers]

Whether it was a rail-over or rail-under solution trees would need to be removed

[Vision: Train passing]

If the rail line went under

[Vision: Workers near train line]

the impact on trees would be we need to remove the trees

[Vision: Worker up tree]

within the rail corridor but because we're digging a big hole in the ground

[Vision: Looking at ground from tree]

we also impact existing trees in residential properties

[Vision: Worker holding rope]

because the groundwater table is impacted

[Title: Paul O'Connell, Environment and Sustainability Manager]

[Vision: Interview with Paul O'Connell]

We're doing a lot of work with the construction and design teams

[Vision: Workers looking at tree]

To determine which areas we can prioritise and minimise our footprint

[Vision: Interview with Paul O'Connell]

There are opportunities that we are looking at to retain trees in those key areas such as Boyd Park

[Vision: Shot of Boyd Park]

Carnegie and Murrumbeena Stations

[Vision: Worker on cherry picker up tree]

We've done a number of environmental assessments through the corridor

[Vision: Worker on ground looking up]

Including a comprehensive arboreus assessment

[Vision: Wide shot of worker on cherry picker up tree]

of all the trees within the corridor

[Vision: Train passing]

and immediately adjacent to the corridor

[Vision: Workers looking at map]

There are a number of ways that we can look to reduce our footprint, using different construction methods

[Vision: Interview with Paul O'Connell]

A key example is at Boyd Park, we've used underboring techniques to minimise the trenching and the impact to tree root zones to minimise impacts to trees in those locations

[Vision: Worker preparing to removal tree]

Prior to tree removals

[Vision: Nest box in tree]

We do a pre-clearing inspection of all areas and we identify any habitat within the vegetation

[Vision: Interview with Paul O'Connell]

During clearing we have a wildlife handler

[Vision: Habitat Management Services Jacket]

available to potentially

[Vision: Workers looking at map and up tree]

relocate any fauna that's identified during those clearing processes

[Title: Tanya White, Habitat Management Services]

[Vision: Interview with Tanya White]

In addition when we've walked the alignment

[Vision: Tree tagged as 'nest']

We've also identified suitable habitat trees

[Vision: Workers moving up tree on cherry picker]

Or trees that contain active nests that contain mammals or birds

[Vision: Nest in tree]

So then what we've done is we've marked up those trees

[Vision: Workers moving up in cherry picker to inspect nest box]

And in that process we've tried to keep ahead of the game by erecting nest boxes

[Vision: Workers smiling, checking nest box]

Which will house those faunal species. We liaise with

[Vision: Tree removal truck]

the tree removal staff

[Vision: Worker pulling on rope]

During the clearing what we do is we

[Vision: Worker inserting cable into nest box]

Go and look at the trees before they are cleared

[Vision: Workers on cherry picker]

And if it does contain any faunal species what we try and do is

[Vision: Nest box in tree]

Remove those species from the trees and we translocate them

[Vision: Interview with Tanya White]

Into another suitable habitat

[Vision: Tree removal worker]

We're currently working with the

[Vision: Tree and cherry picker]

Community Open Space Expert Panel

[Vision: Interview with Brett Summers]

on the best ways that we can revegetate this corridor at the conclusion of the project

[Vision: Workers looking at map]

So we're working closely with councils and going above and beyond to determine what trees

[Vision: Interview with Paul O'Connell]

We can save during construction

[Vision: Interview with Brett Summers]

The project team is committed

[Vision: Do Not Enter sign]

to minimising the impact to vegetation

[Vision: area between rail line and vegetation]

and more importantly we are really committed to reinstating the corridor

[Vision: community park]

and creating beautiful green open spaces that the community can use

[Level Crossing Removal Authority - State Government Victoria]

[Speaker: Authorised by the Victorian Government, 1 Treasury Place, Melbourne]