Staff save trees from bulldozer

Press, 9 October 1976, Page 6

Staff save trees from bulldozer

PA Wellington Staff at the Avalon television studios yesterday morning stood between a bulldozer and young gum tree. to save the trees. After they were reinforced by at least another 100 people, the contractor was forced to stop work. It is believed that a nearby resident sought the removal of 21 trees on TVI land b - cause they were shading his property. The attention of a tradeunion secretary (Mr G. Eady)

was drawn to the presence of the bulldozer in the grounds. He made inquiries, and informed the whole staff in the studios of what was going on. “When I made the announcement, there was a spontaneous reaction,” he said. “Staff poured out of the building to protest. There were hundreds outside.” “About 30 put themselves between a bulldozer and what would have been the sixth tree to go. The contractor raised the bucket of his bulldozer and tried to

push the tree over, but immediately about another 120 rushed out and put themselves in front of the bulldozer.” Mr Eady said. A utility vehicle (TVI) was driven in front of the bulldozer, left there, and the ignition key* was removed. In the resultant action, someone removed the ignition key of the bulldozer. The tree’s fate would be decided at talks on Monday between TVI, the Broadcasting Council, and the Public Service Association, a TVI spokesman said last evening.