PROTESTORS have stepped up the battle to save a famed gateway plantation of golden cypress trees from being chopped down along Princes Hwy.
Wyndham City Council recently ruled the trees, believed to be about 60 years old, be removed between Wattle Ave and Tower Rd, prompting community outrage.
Paul Doolan, cochairman of the Save the Golden Cypress Trees Action Group, said the group are gathering evidence to fight the council at the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (VCAT).
Initially they plan to appeal any council planning application to remove the trees.
Mr Doolan said they are also going to target prospective new councillors in the leadup to next month’s election.
“Wherever I go, people say ‘keep going for it, we don’t want to see the trees go’,” Mr Doolan said.
“It’s a case of you don’t know what you’ve got til it’s gone.”
More than 20 petitions have been distributed to residents and to many Watton St shops, he said.
The group has organised a public meeting on Wednesday, 9 November at the Italian Sports Club of Werribee, on Heaths Rd for any interested members of the public.
“It will be chaired by an independent, highprofile local,” Mr Doolan said.
The 15metre tall trees are between 55 and 60 years old, but have a life expectancy of 80100 years.
Council started considering removing the trees when a large branch fell last August, causing some minor damage to a nearby fence.
