Trees make way for controversial motorway
The removal of hundreds of trees, between North Sydney and Naremburn, to make way for the new Warringah Freeway upgrade has sparked major outrage among local communities.
The $1.1 billion project which began main works in late March, has since removed 655 trees.
With further ‘green space’ loss in the area expected as part of the greater Western Harbour and Beaches link projects, locals are concerned the significant canopy loss will be a devastating impact on the environment.
Larissa Penn, Independent Candidate for Willoughby, says that these are trees and habitats that Sydney can’t afford to lose.
“We can’t clear large amounts of habitat and wait 30 years for the trees to grow back,” she said.
“The most effective and cost-effective method for protecting our biodiversity is planning around it rather than through it. Motorway projects should not come at such a high cost to our environment.”
Sydney blue gums, angophoras, and figs were just some of the species that were removed to make way for the motorway.
North Sydney Mayor, Zoe Baker, tells North Shore Living that she is ‘appalled and outraged’.
“It will be decades before the lost canopy and habitat will be replicated. If new trees were to be planted today, my daughter will be older than me before they reach the maturity of those that have been lost,” says Mayor Baker.
Last month, over 300 people attended a peaceful protest at Cammeray Park & Golf Course to protest the removal of the trees.
1000 ‘ghost trees’ were planted to represent those cut down for the tunnel construction sites and utilities.
Mayor Zoe Baker says that council is seeking certainty from TfNSW as to the extent of the land to be returned to public hands (under Council’s care and control) at the end of the project.
“These are public projects, publicly funded on public lands and the State Government ought to be more transparent and open with the community and Council,” says Mayor Baker.