When the ribbon was cut opening the Eastern Freeway in Bulleen in 1982, Vasiliki and Les Kermanidis’ home faced onto a 20-metre-wide embankment with young gum trees planted on it.

In the 37 years since, the couple have watched those gum trees on Estelle Street in Bulleen grow, along with many other hectares of plantings bordering the freeway.

Les and Vasiliki Kermanidis in parkland across the road from their Bulleen home of 46 years. It is among six hectares of open space to go, to widen the Eastern Freeway. Credit:Chris Hopkins

Soon, if the Andrews government’s massive widening of the Eastern Freeway proceeds, the trees opposite their home will go along with the embankment. In their place will be a 10-metre-high concrete wall. On the other side of that wall will be 20 lanes of freeway (including emergency lanes) – doubling the 10 car lanes there now.

“This little piece of greenery is our sanctuary,” said Mrs Kermanidis, standing on the embankment on Saturday. She was 32 when the trees on it were planted to help block out noise; she is now 69, her husband 75. “Taking that away from us will make us feel like we are in a jail cell.”