Published Wednesday, 12 March, 2008 at 04:42 PM
Minister for Main Roads and Local Government
The Honourable Warren Pitt
Removal of diseased trees at Jindalee park based on expert advice
A park adjacent to the Centenary Highway at Jindalee will be revegetated following the removal of several hundred diseased trees today.
Main Roads Minister Warren Pitt said the removal of the trees, recommended by Greening Australia, was unavoidable.
"Unfortunately, a large number of trees in this area have contracted a fungal disease, which spreads via spores through the air and kills affected trees," Mr Pitt said.
"The problems were more serious than the trees just being drought-affected—if the trees had been left standing, the disease could have spread further and completely ravaged the park."
Prior to today's clearing, Greening Australia inspected the area and the state of the trees.
Its recommendations stated that removing the trees was the best option to rid the area of the disease.
"If Main Roads had left these trees as they were, the disease was likely to spread to other parts of the park. This would have certainly resulted in the removal of even more trees at a later date.”
Mr Pitt said Main Roads had plans in place to revegetate the area once the diseased trees had been completely removed.
"We will be taking steps to ensure the revegetation of this area with new native trees happens as soon as possible.
"Main Roads understands the importance of green areas for the local communities, and takes pride in providing such facilities.”
Media contact: Minister Pitt’s Office 3227 8819
Main Roads Minister Warren Pitt said the removal of the trees, recommended by Greening Australia, was unavoidable.
"Unfortunately, a large number of trees in this area have contracted a fungal disease, which spreads via spores through the air and kills affected trees," Mr Pitt said.
"The problems were more serious than the trees just being drought-affected—if the trees had been left standing, the disease could have spread further and completely ravaged the park."
Prior to today's clearing, Greening Australia inspected the area and the state of the trees.
Its recommendations stated that removing the trees was the best option to rid the area of the disease.
"If Main Roads had left these trees as they were, the disease was likely to spread to other parts of the park. This would have certainly resulted in the removal of even more trees at a later date.”
Mr Pitt said Main Roads had plans in place to revegetate the area once the diseased trees had been completely removed.
"We will be taking steps to ensure the revegetation of this area with new native trees happens as soon as possible.
"Main Roads understands the importance of green areas for the local communities, and takes pride in providing such facilities.”
Media contact: Minister Pitt’s Office 3227 8819