This morning community members walked onto the site at Mt Macedon where destruction of snow gum forest is underway to halt tree felling and demand an urgent intervention by Victorian government. With a new state environment minister announced this morning, this is a fantatsic opportunity for the new minister to start their new portfolio by stopping this unecessary ecological destruction.
The Mount Macedon Memorial Cross Committee has been pushing to cut down Snow Gums to 'restore' historic views of Melbourne from the Memorial Cross on the summit of the mountain.
'The works will clear almost 0.8 hectares of a nationally significant and highly threatened ecosystem - Montane Grassy Woodland - simply for aesthetics,' said Anna Langford, Friends of the Earth Melbourne campaigner.
'People do not come to Mount Macedon for views of Melbourne's sprawling outer suburbs. Many come to have a break from the city and enjoy the quiet tranquillity of the forest.'
Macedon Ranges Shire Council rejected the proposal to clear the snow gums in 2023 after strong community opposition. Instead of respecting that decision, Victorian Planning Minister Sonya Kilkenny has pushed the project through using a state-level planning pathway behind closed doors.
Track clearing to allow tree felling started earlier this week.
'We are devastated to see this precious remnant of snow gum forest being destroyed for a view,' said Friends of the Earth campaigns coordinator Cam Walker. 'There are already several viewpoints from the top of Mt Macedon, so we do not need to clear any more forest - especially around the Memorial Cross which is a place for quiet reflection.'
Images and video footage of the site are available on request.
