Works fell forest giant

VICROADS completed the first stage of its roadside maintenance program by removing a hazardous tree from Monbulk Road in Belgrave recently.
The Mountain Ash was the first of three to be removed along Monbulk Road, bordering the Dandenong Ranges National Park.
VicRoads south east regional manager Steve Brown said the tree had developed cracks and was leaning towards the road.
It had been assessed as an unacceptable risk to people using the road.
Mr Brown said Victoria’s largest travel tower along with a large crane was involved in the task of removing the tree, which resulted in the full closure of Monbulk Road between the Micawber Tavern and Grants Picnic Ground on Thursday, 2 March.
“With the tower standing at 55 metres, and the crane weighing in at 100 tonnes, we quickly recognised the need to close the road,” he said.
He said the removal of the tree was scheduled to take 12 hours, but the job was completed within 10.
Mr Brown said a VicRoads inspection program monitored trees along roadsides to reduce the risk of accidents.
He said subject to the weather condition two more trees would be remove in April.
“They are located on a stretch of road near Kallista and have been assessed as potential hazards to road users and pedestrians,” he said.