An award-winning, centuries-old tree could put the brakes on construction of a multi-billion dollar Melbourne road project.
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The 300-year-old River Red Gum at suburban Bulleen was on Monday named 2019 Tree of the Year by the National Trust of Australia (Victoria).
Problem is, the elderly native stands 20m tall within the construction zone of the North East Link project and Public Transport Minister Jacinta Allen conceded it might have to be removed.
"This is a matter that will be considered by the independent planning process," she told reporters on Monday.
"But we will await results before making any final determination."
The National Trust said their team would call for the tree to be retained.
The gum has already survived one removal attempt, after a local resident stopped it being felled to make way for a petrol station.
The development went ahead, but the tree remains, surrounded by powerlines, street lights, a road and motor mechanic outlets.
"This tree's age is possibly in excess of 300 years. It is probably the oldest tree remaining of the original Bulleen Red Gum forest," the National Trust website reads.
Australian Associated Press
