‘Vandalism’ – Memorial declares struggle on its timber

“When Canberra metropolis wants every bit of biodiversity and inexperienced infrastructure to cope with the approaching local weather disaster, how on earth did anybody on the Battle Memorial assume it was okay to let the bulldozers unfastened on so many timber. In the long run this might be 100 or extra timber that can go,” writes “Canberra Issues” columnist PAUL COSTIGAN. 

THE residents of Canberra love this metropolis due to the timber. There are quite a few events when folks have needed to rally to avoid wasting our timber. Regardless of this, we proceed to witness numerous companies bringing down timber for all method of spurious causes.

And earlier than you assume that I’m going to once more point out a few of the worst latest examples of tree destruction such because the 100 or extra alongside West Basin, the quickly disappearing Downer heritage timber or point out the infamous Metropolis Renewal Authority – you’d be unsuitable.

This time it’s the Australian Battle Memorial that has signalled that it needs to bulldoze about 60 or extra timber. After all, its causes as outlined in a submission to the Nationwide Capital Authority (NCA), are that the timber should go to make method for the completely over-the-top $500 million enlargement of the museum. 

One critically misguided motion (the enlargement) is to be assisted by one other (the destruction of valuable and vital timber).

The NCA has made some token efforts to advertise the significance of timber. However don’t maintain your breath that it is going to be doing a lot to avoid wasting these timber on the AWM. These West Basin timber have been expendable – so why wouldn’t these across the Battle Memorial endure the identical destiny. 

Take a look on the pink bits within the planning doc beneath. On my depend, about 60 have already gone to make method for the brand new carpark to the east and now about 65 extra have been marked for destruction.

Included on this vandalism can be some very vital ones such because the massively stunning ones to the west of the entrance to the memorial constructing.

The Battle Memorial used to look after its timber. I do know this as a result of I’ve been involved with Stewart Mitchell, who’s the previous head of Buildings and Providers on the AWM.

Stewart can inform you how a lot the employees used to place into the care and occasional alternative of their timber. They have been essential to the positioning and the employees have been very aware of their stewardship obligations.

One thing has modified. Stewart and others have been gutted by this information. This isn’t the place they used to work for and have been happy with what they achieved – the care of Memorial’s timber.

On this period when each tree is essential, when town wants every bit of biodiversity and inexperienced infrastructure to cope with the approaching local weather disaster, how on earth did anybody on the Battle Memorial assume it was okay to let the bulldozers lose on so many timber. In the long run this might be 100 or extra timber that can go.

And so, we enter that area that the folks of Canberra know too effectively. There are numerous occasions lately when the intelligence and the stewardship of the Nationwide Capital Authority has been examined.

With all of the speak concerning the significance of timber, now is an efficient time for the NCA to face up for the local weather, to re-assert their accountability to be stewards of the nation’s capital and to easily do the best factor by these timber!

I be part of with others within the hope the NCA won’t conform to the Battle Memorial’s insensitive and damaging proposals to take away so many timber.

The NCA has listed this proposal on its web site – and is open for responses till the top of April. Save our timber from these barbarians!