FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CATHEDRAL DRIVE – A QUALIFIED WIN for SAVE
More than 900 trees will be saved with the approval of a modified version of the New England Highway upgrade between Hampton and Geham.
Minister for Main Roads Craig Wallace announced yesterday (Tues 11 May) that he has accepted the independent Report from consultants Conics recommending a revised design requiring about 486 instead of 1400 trees to be removed.
The Minister commissioned this report after protests from SAVE and the Queensland Greens about the extent of proposed tree removal. SAVE (Safe Avenue of Vegetation for Everyone) spokesperson Anne-Marie Willis said:
“We knew this section of road could be made safer without massive tree removal along its entire length. Conics’ Report shows it can be done.
“Their Report vindicates SAVE and the Greens’ claims that the socio-economic, cultural heritage, landscape and scenic values of the vegetation corridor had not been properly assessed in the first place, and therefore didn’t flow through to the final design and specifications.
“The new scheme will maximise widening of the identified dangerous stretches, especially around the Geham tip. Other sections of high ecological value and visual amenity will be given a different treatment to preserve the over-arching canopy. However, the driving lanes will be widened to 3.5 metres throughout, which goes to motorists’ concerns about the existing road being too narrow.
“Other recommendations by SAVE have also been endorsed including not going ahead with the truck interception zone and the southbound over-taking lane, and detailed tree assessment by a qualified Arborist.
“SAVE and the Greens will continue to monitor the project to ensure the positive measures announced by Minister Wallace actually happen on the ground.
“We thank the Minister for commissioning the independent review and hope it will be of value for road design in other environmentally and culturally sensitive areas throughout Queensland.”
ENDS
Further information Anne-Marie Willis, spokesperson for SAVE -
ph: 4697 8082
SAVE – Safe Avenue of Vegetation for Everyone www.cathedraldrive.wordpress.com
