Police have attended a protest site in western Victoria as authorities move to allow work to resume on a controversial section of the Western Highway duplication project. The dispute centres on trees considered culturally significant by Djab Wurrung people, including trees associated with birthing traditions and Indigenous heritage.

The proposed road upgrade covers a 12-kilometre stretch of the Western Highway between Buangor and Ararat. The highway is an important transport route connecting Melbourne with Adelaide, and the Victorian government says improving it is necessary to increase road safety and traffic efficiency.

However, the project has faced sustained opposition since 2018 because of concerns about its potential impact on Aboriginal cultural heritage. Traditional Owners and supporters have established protest camps and challenged aspects of the development, arguing that culturally significant trees and rock formations should be protected.

police arrived at the site after protesters gathered to oppose the planned tree removal. Some demonstrators were reportedly sitting in trees when officers arrived. Police worked to move protesters away from restricted areas so that authorised works could proceed.

Victoria Police said the operation was mostly peaceful. One man was arrested for refusing to leave a restricted-access area and was later released pending a summons. Police remained at the site following the confrontation.

Djab Wurrung and Gunditjmara woman Yaraan Couzens-Bundle said around 20 people were involved in the protest. She explained that the group did not support the current arrangements for the project and remained opposed to removing culturally significant trees from the landscape.

Protesters have also expressed concern about rock formations that they say could be disturbed or relocated during construction. They argue that improving the maintenance and safety of the existing highway should be considered as an alternative to widening it.

The Eastern Maar Aboriginal Corporation approved the project's cultural heritage management plan in March 2026. The corporation said the plan includes protections for trees that had been the subject of cultural and community concern, as well as trees more than 200 years old. Nevertheless, some protesters say the approved plan does not adequately represent their concerns or their understanding of the cultural significance of the site.

The dispute follows years of consultation, redesigns and legal challenges. Construction was previously paused while the project’s route and cultural heritage arrangements were reconsidered. The Victorian government has said the necessary approvals are now in place and that the upgrade will proceed.

Supporters of the road project point to the highway's safety record and the need for better transport infrastructure. The government has said the upgraded section will add a lane in each direction, with major construction expected to begin in the coming period and completion targeted for 2029.

Opponents say road safety improvements should not come at the expense of cultural heritage. The confrontation has also raised questions about how governments consult with different Traditional Owner groups and how disagreements over cultural heritage plans are resolved.

The latest protest demonstrates that the issue remains deeply contested despite the project's approvals. Activists have indicated that they intend to continue advocating for the protection of culturally important places, while authorities are preparing to advance the highway works.

The outcome could have wider implications for infrastructure planning across Australia, where road, mining and development projects sometimes intersect with places of significance to First Nations communities. Balancing transport needs, public safety, legal approvals and the protection of Indigenous heritage remains a major challenge for governments and local communities.