Desecration
2010-08-02 Yarra Park 3718
This is Paddock 8. In the middle is a cricket pitch where kids play, emulating their sporting heroes. Not much chance now when the ground is hogged by cars on weekends and churned to mud.
Photograph by Graham Shepherd
2010-08-07 Yarra Park 3721
It's a footy weekend and the cars and trucks are back.
Photograph by Graham Shepherd
2010-08-07 Yarra Park 3724
This looks rather like the cause of death. Twice a week, whenever something is on at the MCG, this truck shuffles back and forward over the roots of this fine gum tree.
Photograph by Graham Shepherd
2010-08-07 Yarra Park 3724A 3722
Can this tree last much longer? The Morton Bay figs have very long roots very close to the surface. The severe damage they suffered during the drought demonstrated how vulnerable they are.
Photograph by Graham Shepherd
2010-08-07 Yarra Park 3725
And this little tree - what chance does it have?
Is anyone taking responsibility here?
Photograph by Graham Shepherd
2010-08-07 Yarra Park 3726
And this tree? Cars frequently driving over the roots can only lead to damage and an early death.
Photograph by Graham Shepherd
2010-08-07 Yarra Park 3727
These trees had mulch put around them when the Park was under the managemnent of the City of Melbourne and cars were prevented from driving over the mulch.
Photograph by Graham Shepherd
2010-08-07 Yarra Park 3728
As for the heritage elm trees? They were mulched extensively by the City of Melbourne, knowing how vulnerable they are, but once more the cars are unrestrained.
Photograph by Graham Shepherd
2010-08-13 Yarra Park 01 3750
Well, it's now the 13th of August, 11 days since we started this photographic essay. Melbourne has had 22 millimetres of rain in the last three days, not much less than an inch.
Photo by Graham Shepherd
2010-08-13 Yarra Park 3735
Both of these cars are parked less than one metre from the trunk of this tree. Tyre marks skirt the tree on this side. One tree guard has disappeared.
Photo by Graham Shepherd