Park trees facing chops for project

Trees face the chop to make way for a $1.85 million stormwater filter in central Geelong’s Johnstone Park, City Hall has announced.
“Johnstone Park Raingarden would comprise a series of terraced ponds to prevent pollutants from reaching Corio Bay, council administrators chair Kathy Alexander said.
“Whilst I understand that some people are concerned about altering Johnstone Park, I believe the rain garden addresses contemporary water conservation requirements, adding to the heritage character of the park,” she said.
“This stormwater filtration will remove up to 25 kilograms of nitrogen each year that would otherwise flow into the bay.”
Dr Alexander said filtered stormwater would be stored in a submerged 250,000-litre tank for watering the park.
Raingarden would “enhance Johnstone Park while maintaining (its) heritage value”, she said.
The trees would be replaced within two years.
Work on the project is due to begin next month.