Trees along the Princes Highway at Jemmys Point were removed because they posed a risk to drivers, according to Regional Roads Victoria.
After receiving a report of low-hanging branches posing a hazard on the Princes Highway before entering Lakes Entrance, Regional Roads Victoria immediately arranged for an arborist to inspect the trees.
The arborist advised that the trees were at risk of dropping heavy limbs and that crown reduction (cutting the trees right back) was needed to improve safety for drivers.
“After receiving a report of low-hanging trees over the road, we brought in an arborist to undertake an inspection which found that the trees could drop limbs and were an immediate hazard to drivers,” Manager Eastern Maintenance Alliance, Michael Flegg, said.
“We have acted on the advice of the arborist and improved safety by removing these trees, while the stumps have left in place to make sure the soil isn’t disturbed.”
Regional Roads Victoria acted on this advice and removed the high-risk trees, with further removals a possibility, but will retain areas of habitation wherever possible.
It might not be visible from the road, but the tree stumps remain in place to ensure the soil is not disturbed and to mitigate any risk of landslip. Regional Road Victoria crews also cleared the drains in the area, which were blocked with leaves and bark, to prevent flooding in heavy rains.
Regional Roads Victoria is obliged under the Road Management Act to remove hazards on the road network.
