Protestors brave the rain as they rail against road tunnel works in Carlton

Well done PPL and local residents who turned out on short notice.  Stay tuned for the next “snap rally”.

freda, Ycat

Protectors of Public Lands Victoria Inc. protestors braved the winter weather to protest exploratory drilling for the East West Link this morning (27 JUL 12 @ 06:03PM BY PAULA MAUD).

Protectors of Public Lands Victoria protesting at the drill site Friday morning. Picture: MATT MURPHY

The group has vowed to protest drilling at each of the Linking Melbourne Authority’s 13 planned drill sites in support of public transport and trains ahead of  tolls and road tunnels.

PPL Victoria spokeswoman Julianne Bell said the group was alarmed when they discovered drilling about to take place under two heritage-listed significant trees at the roundabout at the top ofSwanston St in Carlton.

`The trees are some of Melbourne’s most famous,” Ms Bell said.

She said the two lemon-scented eucalypts were among a handful of the protected native species in Melbourne.

Following enquiries by Ms Bell, Melbourne City Council arborists inspected the site, which is on VicRoads land, to ensure the drilling was outside the tree protection zones.

Melbourne Council granted approval for the Linking Melbourne Authority to do preliminary drilling on council land on condition the works be supervised by council arboriculture and engineering staff and that trees and buildings be protected from damage.

It is understood the council have now asked for advanced notice from Vic Roads if more works are planned.

Retrieved 3 August 2012 (Melbourne Leader) from http://melbourne-leader.whereilive.com.au/news/story/protestors-brave-the-rain-as-they-rail-against-road-tunnel-works-in-carlton/#form-container

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