In order to construct the Integrated Rapid Transit (IRT) station serving the Green Point Stadium it is necessary to remove ten Eucalyptus trees that form part of a grove of about 14 trees.

Cllr Elizabeth Thompson Mayoral Committee member for Transport, Roads and Stormwater said “the City will plant approximately three times more trees than had to be removed, as part of landscaping around the new IRT Stadium Station”.

The trees marked for removal are located in the median (middle section) of Western Boulevard, just to the west of the pedestrian crossing at Portswood Road.

The City’s IRT engineers tried everything possible to prevent the removal of the trees, as the City believes the trees are an essential part of Green Point and add character to the area.

The new station will be located in the median of the road between Portswood Road and the new elevated Green Point Circle, which is currently being constructed. Many of the newly planted trees will be 12m high, mature trees.

“As part of the preparations the City has engaged with representatives of the Green Point Rate Payer Association, as well as the City’s Parks Department, Spatial Planning and Urban Design department and the Ward Councillor and Sub-Council Chairperson for the area, Cllr JP Smith”, said Cllr Thompson

In order to give residents and users of the IRT system a clear understanding a very recent photo of the construction site at Green Point, with the trees to be removed circled, as well as a rendering of what the station, with the landscaping will look like is attached to this release.