In November 2025 we’ll start major works on the new upgraded intersection of Yan Yean Road, Doctors Gully Road and Bridge Inn Road.
To build the new lanes, paths and other features as part of the northern section of the project, we will need to remove some trees and vegetation.
Retaining trees and vegetation is a priority for the project and there are strict environmental performance requirements and approvals in place.
To minimise our impact on the environment, we’ve identified trees and areas of environmental significance, such as the large River Red Gums near the roundabout, and explored ways of designing and building the new intersection to retain as many of these as possible.
Protecting trees and vegetation
When works start, one of our first activities is to establish no-go zones around trees and vegetation to be retained in the project area. These no-go zones can often be identified by flagging or similar markers and show our works crews that there are environmental values to be protected within the zone.
To assist us with protecting and removing trees across the project, we have carried out extensive arboricultural studies, recording many features of each tree including species, age, health and whether they have hollows or habitat. Each tree is also assigned an identification number as part of this. You may have noticed we’ve recently placed tags on trees throughout the northern section of the project. These tags record the identification numbers for each tree to help us confirm trees that will need to be removed and trees that we can protect and retain.
Repurposing trees
Once we have confirmed a tree needs to be removed, we identify what their next best use can be to continue benefiting the environment and community. For example, some trees may have existing hollows that can be used by wildlife as habitat. Once removed, these types of trees can be relocated and placed on the ground in local environmental areas to act as habitat for ground-based wildlife. In some cases, we may be able to place the section of log containing the hollow on an existing tree in the project area.
Fish and other aquatic wildlife can also benefit from logs and root balls placed in creeks and rivers. Native fish use logs as feeding sites, cover from predators, a resting spot from faster flows, or as a spawning location. Large wood snags may also result in pools and eddies in the stream, which encourage silt and leaf deposits that promote a variety of aquatic life.
Some trees may also provide timber for use in sculptures, benches, and signage. We’ll explore these opportunities with local groups throughout the project life cycle.
Lastly, some removed trees only be suitable for further use as mulch or firewood. In this case, we will benefit the community by using the mulch throughout the project area landscaping and donating to local schools, kindergartens, childcare centres and sporting groups to use in play spaces and landscaping areas.
We will need to store the removed trees for these reuse purposes, so you may see trees being taken to various site areas before being reused.
Wildlife
We will protect local wildlife throughout the design and construction of the project.
All trees in the project area are checked for hollows and habitats before we start works. Trees with hollows and habitats are inspected for wildlife prior to removal. Where present, animals are carefully relocated under the supervision of an authorised wildlife expert.
Landscaping and legacy
We’ll plant trees, shrubs and grasses throughout the project area in line with the Landscape Strategy approved as part of the project’s Environmental Effects Statement. We’ll share more details as we continue to develop these designs.