1,000 signatures reached
To: John Dewar (VC, LTU), Noel Larkins (AgriBio Facility Director, Honeywell), Natasha Bennett (Executive Officer, Vic Gov), Darebin City Council, Travis Beddoe (Head of AgriBio, LTU), Shaun Collin (Dean of SABE, LTU)
Protect our old growth trees at La Trobe University
On the 3/7/23, Honeywell applied for a permit to cut down the magificent, pre-European River Red Gum outside the AgriBio building at La Trobe University (LTU), Wurundjeri land.
We are urging the executive levels of LTU and Honeywell to retain this important tree. We are also urging Darebin City Council to reject this permit application. LTU and Honeywell must seek alternative options to removal, such as static cabling and erecting permanent barriers.
We also ask that La Trobe University has better standards and practices that safeguard our remnant vegetation which many LTU researchers are trying to protect. This tree is a lighthouse example of managing remnant trees on campus and that is why it is so important that it be managed to best practice so that the others will receive the same level of management.
Old growth, remnant vegetation is extremely rare in urban landscapes, hence, we need to protect every patch!
We ask that they support their University community in creating a better future for all.
Why is this important?
Honeywell are planning to remove an old growth River Red Gum that is located out the front of the AgriBio Building despite the initial arborist report recommending to manage the tree using "weight reduction pruning, canopy retrenchment pruning and re-cabling of limbs".
This particular individual tree is classified as remnant vegetation and is thought to be up to 400 years old (pre-European). It is a critical habitat tree with many hollows and we know that many species are currently inhabiting this tree, including sugar gliders, lorikeets, possums, and more. (For context: it takes about 100 years for a hollow to form!)
Many species are known to nest, roost and forage in rare old trees around La Trobe University, most noteworthy are Swift Parrots (EPBC Act-listed as Critically Endangered), and Gang Gang cockatoos (EPBC Act-listed as Endangered).
See here for some of the species we found living in and around this old River Red Gum outside the front of AgriBio: https://latrobeuni-my.sharepoint.com/:f:/g/personal/19631648_students_ltu_edu_au/EpsaxXpUqLtGr45F7Sko0GcBYonMjJFuaIKFmMQZSJxeMw?e=wvQPeJ
We as a community should be concerned because the loss of ancient trees is a loss to an irreplaceable part of our natural and cultural heritage. The notion that this giant tree, imposing in presence, impressive in stature, and high in habitat value, may be replaced by planting a juvenile tree is nothing short of incomprehensible. Not in several lifetimes at least, given it has survived 3 centuries!
Our previous petition gained 700 signatures. Signed by concerned members of the public, students and staff of La Trobe University. This number continues to increase every day.
Please help us protect our urban remnant vegetation and sign this petition!
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Here are some of the comments made by people as to why they signed this petition, it is truly moving and is a very concerning issue for people:
Indigenous Staff member – “As a First Nations women, I believe we should have further information as to why the tree is being cut down. It is part of Wurundjeri Country.”
LTU Student - “This tree is irreplaceable habitat, and La Trobe cannot pretend to be committed to environmental preservation and conservation if this is allowed to occur. Find another solution. We CANNOT keep destroying habitat because it is inconvenient.”
LTU Staff - “La Trobe University campus is unique in its ecological habitat and sense of place. Significant old trees like this make La Trobe. There are multiple alternatives to removal of this tree and a second opinion by an arborist is necessary. La Trobe urgently needs to review it's vegetation protection approach if such a removal is deemed possible without thorough review and staff and student consultation. Similarly, the proposed removal of significant old trees and understory from the proposed solar farm should be critically considered. You can not get this kind of contribution to the university back by planting new small trees.”
LTU Alumni - “This tree pre-dates European colonisation of the site, and its retention, protection from built encroachments, and ongoing ecological management, together with other adjacent pockets of native vegetation, around AgriBio & the R&D Park, were strict Planning Permit requirements for LTU, in perpetuity, imposed as essential minimum obligations, by DEECA's regional Biodiversity Management division. LTU needs to retain this tree, and all other adjacent pockets of native vegetation, around AgriBio & the R&D Park, and exclude built encroachments & people access & risks, and manage all these ecological assets, to the highest best-practice, as per the National standards for the Practice of Ecological Restoration in Australia. Anything short of fulfilling these obligations destroys the community social licence on which La Trobe stands and trades!”
Community member - “I support this petition, the old river Red Gum Tree shouldn’t be removed. I support this, because the removal of the tree can lead to significant negative impacts on the local environment and ecosystem. Such as: loss of habitat, reduced biodiversity, soul erosion, and increased carbon emissions. Additionally, this Red Gum tree holds cultural and aesthetic value, providing a sense of history and continuity. Therefore, removing the tree can have negative impacts on the local community. Thanks to the Botany and Plant Ecology Society for raising awareness and support for the preservation of the old river Red Gum Tree, you are helping to protect the local ecosystem and heritage.”
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