What you need to know
We’re pleased to report Metro Trains has completed its upgrade to the Newmarket Train Station platform including works around the 100-year old river red gum tree know as ‘Big Red’.
It follows a campaign by Council and members of the local community to retain the heritage-listed tree.
Earlier this year Metro advised it intended to undertake an upgrade to the Newmarket Station platform including the removal of ‘Big Red’.
At a special meeting in January Council decided to write to the Chief Executive of Metro. With the support of the local community Council successfully managed to negotiate an outcome whereby works could be undertaken and the tree would be retained.
This involved a redesign of the platform wall and some trimming of the river red gum.
Metro has now completed these works and, through a redesign of the initial approach, the tree has been saved.
We’ll continue to inspect the tree to ensure it remains in good health.
We’d like to say a big thank you to our community for all the support in achieving this successful outcome.
