FRANKSTON Council has come under fire over the sudden axing of trees on Cranbourne-Frankston Road.
Readers have contacted The Times expressing alarm about “a desolate bomb site” left in the wake of trees being removed on Cranbourne-Frankston Road between Fletcher Road and Moorooduc Highway.
Council says more than 150 trees will replace the previous trees as part of a boulevard planting project and the mayor Cr Colin Hampton said an arborist report found many of the axed trees were “in poor health and no longer providing adequate amenity”.
“Two species of trees have been selected for planting, including the iconic native Norfolk Island Pine along the central median to complement our city centre pines, including Frankston City’s favourite century-old Christmas Tree located outside the Civic Centre,” Cr Hampton said in a statement.
“Stunning Crepe Myrtles which produce a gorgeous white flower in summer will also be planted along nature strips. These grow to a reasonably low height, well below power line level and will add continuity to the white flowering Ti-tree and Melaleuca further up Cranbourne-Frankston Road.”
The mayor said VicRoads, who owns the land, supports the boulevard works, expected to be finished this month.
“This section of Cranbourne-Frankston Road is a major city gateway, and the new boulevard trees will provide a warm welcome to visitors and become an asset the community can be proud of.”
Council advised the next stage of the works will see planting between Moorooduc Highway and McClelland Drive.
Councillors last month slammed the state government’s Level Crossing Removal Authority (LXRA) for the removal of vegetation around Seaford’s RF Miles Reserve as part of the Seaford Road level crossing removal.
