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Wednesday, September 20, 2023
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Manhunt for gunman continues Page 3
OLD DODGE HITS ROAD FOR RALLY IN THE VALLEY
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IT is no spring chicken, but Wangaratta Fire Brigade’s 1938 Dodge pumper was certainly up for a road trip in the King Valley on Saturday. The pumper, driven by CFA members Paul Clark and Rob Skase, was among more than 70 vehicles participating in the Veteran, Vintage and Classic Vehicle Club of Wangaratta’s annual spring rally. ■ Story page 2 PHOTO: Lesley Nye
Allan named league’s best and fairest
Sport
Park to re-open Three red ggum trees marked for removal in Merriwa Park due to safetyy concerns
MERRIWA Park will reopen on Friday afternoon following several months of closure due to tree safety concerns by council. One of the most loved parks in Wangaratta was closed on July 9 following an arborist’s report that deemed 10 red gum trees were high to extreme risk and users of the park such as lawn tennis club
BY STEVE KELLY skelly@ nemedia.com.au
players have been unable to enjoy the space since. Council confirmed a planning permit to remove three trees at the park has been submitted and this
process will take about four weeks to see an outcome. It reported that the remaining trees initially marked for removal can be saved with pruning and crown reductions and these works are planned for early next week. Council was awaiting receipt of its ecological report so it could take this next step in processing the application
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for the trees’ removal. Rural City of Wangaratta director - community and infrastructure Marcus Goonan thanked the public for their patience in the process while council has been making the park safe for all users. “The report identifies remnant trees at the site proposed for removal or reduction,” Mr Goonan said.
“It completes a Flora and Fauna Assessment on those and a Net Loss Report for any losses presented.” Mr Goonan would not comment on which three trees were marked for removal until such a time as the planning application has been approved. “Once we have the outcome, we will
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communicate with the community again regarding the tree locations and works,” he said. Several large red gum trees have fallen in the park over the last 12 months causing concern for some people, while others have been against the potential removal of more trees. ■ Continued page 3