Tuesday, 22 February 2022

Caulfield electorate planning

Mr SOUTHWICK (Caulfield) (12:23): As if Victorians have not gone through enough with the long lockdowns and high stress levels over the last couple of years, certainly constituents of mine, particularly in the areas of Caulfield East and Elsternwick, have really been let down by the Andrews Labor government in the lack of consultation, particularly on the removal of a number of trees in Caulfield East.

Ms Allan interjected.

Mr SOUTHWICK: The Minister for Transport Infrastructure, who is interjecting at the table, knows about Leamington Crescent, Derby Crescent, Station Place and Royal Avenue. This was an issue I raised in an adjournment matter to the Minister for Transport Infrastructure on a Thursday. On the Monday morning the tree loppers were there to cut down those trees. The anxiety levels of those constituents in Caulfield East were through the roof. I have never seen people so angry—people that actually planted those trees themselves to try and ensure the beautification of their local area. They were not consulted.

Also we saw at Caulfield Racecourse that trees were cut down. The minister greenlighted that. The Minister for Planning signed off on that on 24 December, Christmas Eve, and we saw trees being cut down, including an Aleppo pine tree. An Aleppo pine was cut down as a result of lack of consultation.

Finally, in Elsternwick we are seeing a lot of issues in terms of overdevelopment. I would ask the minister to not call in the Woolworths project, like he has called others in. Elsternwick residents are really stressed and concerned about the Elsternwick overdevelopment.