About 100 trees lining St Kilda Road facing the chop to make way for the Metro Rail Project have been granted emergency heritage protection by the Turnbull government.
With early works on the $10.9 billion rail project set to start within weeks, Environment Minister Josh Frydenberg has rushed to place the historic boulevard on the National Heritage List.
More National News Videos
- Video duration
- 01:07
Melbourne Metro tunnel update
Melbourne Metro tunnel update
Early works begin on Melbourne's Metro Tunnel which is to be Victoria's largest public transport project.
Up Next
Minister: Power surplus, but please don't use it.
- Video duration
- 01:41
- Video duration
- 01:41
Minister: Power surplus, but please don't ...
Minister: Power surplus, but please don't use it.
NSW Energy and Utilities Minister Don Harwin has requested the public to make restrictions to their power usage between peak times, in order to prevent potential rolling blackouts, despite claiming we have a power surplus.
Up Next
Ross Cameron defends gay comments
- Video duration
- 01:33
- Video duration
- 01:33
Ross Cameron defends gay comments
Ross Cameron defends gay comments
Former Liberal MP Ross Cameron has appeared on SKY NEWS to defend the comments he made about homosexuality and The Sydney Morning Herald at the Q Society fundraising dinner in Sydney. Vision: SKY NEWS.
Up Next
Heatwave bringing extreme to catastrophic fire dangers
- Video duration
- 03:27
- Video duration
- 03:27
Heatwave bringing extreme to catastrophic ...
Heatwave bringing extreme to catastrophic fire dangers
The Bureau of Meteorology has warned the extreme heat and high winds over the next few days will cause extreme and catastrophic bush fire dangers in the Sydney and Newcastle areas.
Up Next
Why science needs women
- Video duration
- 03:05
- Video duration
- 03:05
Why science needs women
Why science needs women
Scientists Dr Devanshi Seth and Dr Shweta Tikkoo are tackling gender inequity and unconscious bias through the Women in Science group at Sydney's Centenary Institute.
Up Next
Premium rise will hurt: PM
- Video duration
- 01:49
- Video duration
- 01:49
Premium rise will hurt: PM
Premium rise will hurt: PM
Health insurance premiums are going up on average 5% and Malcolm Turnbull says while it'll hurt, people should keep their private cover. Courtesy 3AW.
Up Next
How to cool your home and save money
- Video duration
- 01:38
- Video duration
- 01:38
How to cool your home and save money
How to cool your home and save money
Australia has some of the least energy efficient houses in the world, so what can you do to reduce your bills and stay cool as the same time?
Up Next
Turnbull slams excessive CEO pay
- Video duration
- 01:50
- Video duration
- 01:50
Turnbull slams excessive CEO pay
Turnbull slams excessive CEO pay
Malcolm Turnbull has taken his criticism of Australia Post boss Ahmed Fahour's $5.6 million pay packet, a step further. Courtesy 3AW.
Melbourne Metro tunnel update
Early works begin on Melbourne's Metro Tunnel which is to be Victoria's largest public transport project.
In theory, that will provide interim protection for 12 months while the Heritage Council undertakes an assessment.
But the reality is the move is unlikely to save any trees - including elms dating back to the 1800s - because in 2015 the federal government gave the project the green light without the need for environmental approval.
Related Content
According to legal advice, Mr Frydenberg's move does not overrule that decision.
Even so, Mr Frydenberg has written to Premier Daniel Andrews asking him to reconsider the design in light of the heritage decision.
"I have decided to emergency list St Kilda Road and environs due to its significance as a rare nineteenth and early twentieth century parkland, garden and landscaped precinct and for the significance of the Shrine of Remembrance ... and in response to the threat posed by construction associated with the Melbourne Metro Rail project," the letter says.
The move has infuriated the Andrews government, which in the last budget pledged to fund the entire project on its own.
Public Transport Minister Jacinta Allan said: "As if Victoria isn't being dudded enough by Malcolm Turnbull, now he's teaming up with the State Liberals to try to stop the Metro Tunnel."
"The Turnbull government hasn't invested a cent in passenger rail in Victoria and is now trying to stop the most important public transport project since the city loop."
The controversial decision was prompted by a joint submission from well-known former Hawke government minister Barry Jones and Tom Harley, who is chairman of the Liberal think-tank the Menzies Research Centre and was the chair of the Australian Heritage Council.
The submission argues the four kilometre tree-lined boulevard is one of the richest urban cultural landscapes in Australia and should be protected.
"There is no comparable place in Australia, and its design and development are a remarkable technical achievement, it has profound value to many social groups ... and it is closely connected with many significant people in Australian history," the submission says.
The Liberal Party has been campaigning for months to include a station at South Yarra as part of the project, an idea that has been repeatedly rejected on the grounds it would add dramatically to the cost, with minimal benefits.
A deep tunnel under the St Kilda Road trees instead of using a "cut and cover" construction technique would also add dramatically to the cost, while inconveniencing commuters because of the added depth.
Mr Harley said it was a nationally significant area. "We are not trying to stop the project, we just want to the heritage values of the site protected."
Professor Jones, who represented Australia on the World Heritage Council in Paris, said it was inexplicable that St Kilda Road was not previously on the National Heritage list.
"I think unquestionably the most important street in Australia in heritage terms is this one," he said. "When the Commonwealth was set up and Melbourne was the capital, this was the centre point."