They paved paradise …
An impromptu version of Joni Mitchell’s lyric from Big Yellow Taxi, “they paved paradise and put up a parking lot”, was sung by AV girls at St Leonards Park on Thursday in peaceful protest against the impact of the Northern Beaches B-Line Bus service.
Infrastructure plans slated their meeting place - the 150-year-old fig near the intersection of Falcon and Miller Streets - for removal along with another 54 kerbside trees to be either removed or “excessively pruned” according to Lara, a Year 10 student and active member of the Student Environment Group who rallied girls to protest.
“It’s vital that these trees are preserved; North Sydney needs this precious green space. We feel that student voice is an essential component in this peaceful protest,” said Lara.
Thirty-four trees are numbered for removal and another 21 will be lopped so they don’t interfere with the new double-decker buses on the B-Line route.
Wearing green ribbons, and tying a very long ribbon around the ancient fig, the girls assembled with several teachers around the oldest tree affected by the B-Line Bus plans. North Sydney Council believes this tree is of high heritage significance and any changes to the park that could affect its heritage values would have to be approved by the Heritage Council.
Further information on the B-Line Northern Beaches, and North Sydney Council’s response, can be found on the