An Algerian oak tree, which has stood for 130 years north of Ballarat, has been named the National Trust's Victorian Tree of the Year. This recognition comes as residents of Kingston rally to protect the tree from being removed for high-voltage renewable energy transmission lines. The tree, measuring 16 meters tall with a canopy that spans 31 meters, has become a symbol of community resistance against AusNet's proposed Western Renewables Link (WRL) project.

The oak is located in Kingston's only public land, a nature reserve established in the 1960s along Birches Creek. This area is home to native wildlife, including platypuses and endangered growling grass frogs. Jeremy Harper, a Kingston resident for nearly 50 years, has led efforts to save the tree. He and his family have enjoyed the tree's shade for generations, camping and relaxing beneath its branches.

Harper organized rallies, created signs, and gathered signatures for a petition to protect the oak. His most impactful action was entering the tree in the National Trust's competition, where it won with over 40 percent of the public vote. "I was over the moon — it's a great honour for Kingston," Harper said. "I did come down to the tree actually, and I told the tree, that was pretty good — the tree was rapt."

Residents Jenny Blackett-Smith and Paul McGoldrick, whose home borders the reserve, expressed concerns about the WRL project. They believe it would severely impact both the community and local wildlife. "The power lines would go over the Algerian oak … and over the bridge there and that's within 300 metres of our home," Blackett-Smith said. "It will dominate our view."

Blackett-Smith added that the community is supportive of renewable energy but feels that a small number of residents should not bear the burden of such projects. "People are not sleeping at night, worrying about devaluation, worrying about the loss of some of their farming land. It's been really hard," she said.

McGoldrick highlighted the area's biodiversity, which could be threatened by the transmission lines. "We can get up in the evening and walk down to the creek and within about five [or] ten minutes you'll see platypus swimming around the water holes, which is fantastic," he said. Blackett-Smith noted that the reserve is a sanctuary for various native species, including wallabies, possums, wombats, and echidnas.

Despite the tree's new title, it does not come with legal protection. National Trust executive manager Justin Buckley emphasized the need for stronger protections for trees of cultural and environmental significance. "It's a timely reminder that our planning system must evolve to reflect these values and offer stronger protection for irreplaceable natural heritage," Buckley said.

A spokesperson for the WRL project stated that an independent process is currently assessing the project's environmental impacts. "The Western Renewables Link project understands the tree is important to the community," the spokesperson said. They assured that the matter would be addressed in the environmental effects statement inquiry and advisory committee process.

As the project timeline progresses, AusNet is expected to discuss the Algerian oak before the Christmas break. Harper remains hopeful that the tree's recognition will help protect it. "If a tree becomes Victoria's Crown tree, what authority is going to cut it down?" he asked.