Trees planted, ripped out

By Lia Bichel
Narre Warren resident David Bate and his wife Ann said they contacted the Casey Council after they saw trees were being planted at the corner of Amber Crescent and Ernst Wanke Road last Thursday.
The intersection was one of four Black Spot locations which will be improved under federal funding.
The Federal Government announced in September it would provide $945,250 in funding to install a right hand turning lane at the Amber Crescent and Ernst Wanke Road intersection, as well as a splitter island and line marking at Inglis Road and Buchanan Road in Berwick.
There will also be a new roundabout at Hutchinson Drive and Lynbrook Drive in Lynbrook and modifications to the roundabout at Greaves Road and The Avenue in Narre Warren South.
Mr Bate said he thought the council was wasting money by planting the trees at the Narre Warren intersection when they need to be removed for the modification.
“The council is spending tax payer money on a spot earmarked for modification,” Mr said.
City of Casey Manager of Parks and Reserves Trevor Griffin confirmed the trees were planted at the intersection, but said the removal of the trees would not cost council money.
The council is planting over 250 trees along Ernst Wanke Road. Five trees will need to be relocated due to the proposed intersection widening,” Mr Griffin said.
“The contractor has agreed to relocate these trees at no cost to council.”
The trees were removed on Monday.