Watch the veteran fighting to save the 300-year-old tree:
Video Credit: Twitter/@TheTodayShow
The construction of the North-West Link in Melbourne is going to be started.
A 300-year-old gum tree – the River Red Gum at the busy Manningham Road-Bridge Street intersection in Bulleen will be destroyed to make way for the North-West Link.
But, a 94-year-old World War II veteran has pledged to save the 300-year-old tree.
Nevin Phillips is fighting to save the 300-year-old gum tree at the busy Manningham Road-Bridge Street intersection in Bulleen.
The National Trust and Manningham council are also fighting to save the tree. And now, lower Templestowe resident and WWII veteran Nevin Phillips Mr. Phillips has also joined them.
Mr. Phillips told the hosts of Melbourne radio station 3AW:
“I grabbed my Brno rifle out of the car, ran over and said ‘Touch that tree and I’ll kneecap you. A few minutes later the police arrived on their bikes.”
Public Transport Minister Jacinta Allen said: “This is a matter that will be considered by the independent planning process. But we will await results before making any final determination.”
The 300-year-old tree has been voted as the Victorian Tree of the Year by the Royal Trust of Australia.
The Royal Trust of Australia wrote on their Facebook page: “We’re excited to announce your 2019 Victorian Tree of the Year – the River Red Gum in Bulleen!”
“The 300-year-old tree measures at 20 meters high and was originally saved by a local resident when the rest of the block was cleared for the service station.”
“With it facing possible removal to make way for the North East Link Project our team will be calling on the North East Link Authority to explore all options for it to be retained.”
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