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

At the time 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”.

“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.

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