Tuesday, 15 August 2023

Beaconsfield level crossing removal

Michael GALEA (South-Eastern Metropolitan) (16:16): (381) My adjournment matter this evening is for the attention of the Minister for Transport and Infrastructure and relates to the Beaconsfield level crossing removal project. The action that I seek is that the minister look at options for the repurposing of removed vegetation for the use of local environment and community organisations. It is unfortunate but necessary that the project requires a small amount of tree and shrub removal within the project area in order to deliver the new road bridge over the rail line and remove the level crossing. When the project is complete approximately 80 native and indigenous trees and 75,000 plants and shrubs will be planted in the area.

I have spoken in this house before about the bunya-bunya pine tree that will thankfully now be protected during the construction of the bridge that will replace the level crossing. The bunya-bunya is a very special tree that was planted 150 years ago and still stands tall, proud and healthy right next to the railway house, which will also now be protected following our successful campaign. I also note there was a welcome to country and smoking ceremony conducted at the site just a few weeks ago to inaugurate the commencement of these works, and it is great to see this project already underway. The ceremony cleansed the land and the people about to work on the land while attendees were informed of the importance of that land to our local Indigenous communities. It was aptly situated next to the bunya-bunya tree, which was a very important tree in local Indigenous history and culture as it was used as a food source for local Indigenous people, who ate the nuts and shoots produced by the tree. Indigenous people also used the tree to remove bark for kindling and held large community events to celebrate the harvesting of the kernels. It has been celebrated and cherished still further over recent decades by the local community in Beaconsfield of all persuasions, and it is so wonderful for that reason to see the tree being protected by this government. So again, to conclude, I ask the minister to facilitate the distribution of remaining seeds, mulch and logs to various community organisations in the outer south-east that can benefit from it by repurposing it locally.