Macedon Ranges Council votes down Parks Victoria's plans for snow gum removal

A controversial plan by Parks Victoria to clear 0.79 hectares of native snow gum trees in the Macedon Regional Park to improve view from the Memorial Cross site on the summit of Mount Macedon has been rejected by the Macedon Ranges Shire Council.

Parks Victoria’s viewscape project had sought to remove native vegetation, including a small area of rare snow gum regrowth, to restore historic views to Melbourne from the Mount Macedon Memorial Cross.

Snow gums in Victoria have suffered immensely in recent years experiencing large losses due to climate change and pressures from pests and diseases.

It prompted passionate debate among community members and visitors to the site, with 72 submissions sent to the Council, including 55 objectors.

The cross is considered the second most significant war memorial in Victoria but decades of growth have altered its original view lines.

Objecting to the proposal, the Victorian National Parks Association had called for a detailed environmental management plan before any permit issue.

VNPA representative Ben Gill explained “there is concern in the community about potential further clearing down the track.

“(Gums) provide shade for the mid-storey and under-storey, which is quite essential - there are some very rare plants at the base of the Cross - such as the threatened euphrasia collina.

“The gums protect them and form a micro climate. So by taking the trees back, there is going to be a lot more exposure to the mid-storey and understorey plants.”

Issues with Parks Victoria online system
Parks Victoria’s troubles have also seen the agency’s new online booking system suffer a series of technical issues and crashes in recent weeks with reports that users are concerned about potential data breaches.

Images: Views and snow gums at the Mount Macedon Memorial Cross site. Credit: Tanya Loos.