By JESSE GRAHAM
AROUND 1000 pine trees were removed from the Yarra Valley railway line last week in a volunteer effort by Friends of Forestry to help get development moving.
From Monday to Friday last week, Friends of Forestry helped to remove trees along the line from Yarra Glen to Healesville, contributing around $500,000 worth of volunteer work.
Yarra Valley Railway Vice President Brett Whelan said pine trees were environmental weeds and posed dangers to the railway development, particularly due to fire danger.
“We had massive problems with the pine trees and had no idea how to resolve it,” he said. “We were really at a loss.
“As soon as the forestry workers from Friends of Forestry heard that this community infrastructure project had a major issue with these trees, they offered their services at no cost!”
Mr Whelan called the timber industry workers “local heroes” for their volunteer work, removing the trees, which are classified as a weed species of tree.
Friends of Forestry were out in force throughout the week, using heavy machinery to remove the trees, which were sent to mill to help pay for the fuel used throughout the week.
President of Friends of Forestry Brett Robin said the Yarra Valley Railway saved around $500,000 on commercial rates for the tree removal.
“The many days of labour and the millions of dollars’ worth of equipment utilised on this job has saved the railway hundreds of thousands of dollars,” he said.
Mayor of Yarra Ranges Jim Child said he was excited about the tree removal and what it means for the railway development.
“It’s the first step in the construction work, and it really highlights the in-kind work that’s being provided by our local community,” he said.
The Yarra Valley Railway between Healesville and Yarra Glen is expected to be running by December 2016.
