An upgrade to a popular tourist road in Western Australia's south-west is dividing some locals.
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00:00 Well known for its imposing trees, Old Vast Road is about to get an upgrade.
00:07 But there's disagreement over whether that means some of these trees have to go.
00:11 Everybody agrees it's a road of significance. I think where we disagree is actually how
00:16 it should be treated.
00:17 Pemberton resident Lincoln Marrison is a frequent user of the road and says the loss of trees
00:22 is a small price to pay for a safer journey.
00:25 Twenty percent of the time it's great and the other eighty percent of the time it's
00:31 either potholed, corrugated or slippery. So it's not safe.
00:32 But a local produce stall owner, whose stall has been set up along Old Vast Road for more
00:36 than twenty years, says cutting down any trees to make way for a better road doesn't make
00:42 sense.
00:42 I mean everybody wants a better road but I really can't understand what the problem
00:47 is. You know, I can't see why you can't have a better road and a tree.
00:51 One of the trees marked for removal is located in front of Kevin's stall. When it's cut
00:55 down, he's planning to shut up shop.
00:57 Yep, the day they cut this tree down we'll be out of here. Yep. We'll find something
01:02 else to do.
01:02 In order for this road to be sealed, eleven old growth carry trees need to be chopped
01:06 down, including these two trees right here. However, this is just one section of the road,
01:12 with the entire project expected to be completed in various stages over a ten year period.
01:17 The first year this year is the intersection and the one kilometre and then we'll work
01:21 through there.
01:22 And more trees could be axed along the way.
01:24 That will depend on the realignment of the roading, so no we don't have a definite number.
01:29 A number unlikely to be known until this project meets the end of the road.
01:33 [BLANK_AUDIO]