Community launches funds appeal for iconic tree court action
A council’s decision to remove an old fig tree from a local park has sparked community backlash, with court action currently halting works.
Rex Smeal Park in Port Douglas is a popular spot for tourists and locals to enjoy views of sunsets over the bay, play on the children’s playground and, until recently, bask in the majesty of the ancient fig tree that sits at the park’s centre.
On Friday, October 16, Douglas Shire Council announced the tree would be removed, citing that it had reached the end of its life and its removal was a matter of safety.
Douglas Shire councillor Damian Meadows said in a video posted on Facebook that council’s decision has been made for the safety of the children and the people attending the park.
“A lot of people are not going to be happy about this decision but all in all it boils down to safety,” Meadows said.
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He said the council had specialists inspect the tree previously, and while remedial action had been taken, the tree’s declining health left no other option but removal.
“Council has been forced to make a very drastic decision that affects us all. It’s a tree that is iconic in the region but unfortunately there’s nothing more we can do,” Meadows said.
Meadows said that plans were in place to put shades over the playground before importing mature trees to fill the fig tree’s void as quickly as possible.
“We recently had a tree fall on Macrossan street and we don’t want the same thing to be happening here in Rex Smeal Park,” he said.
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The announcement has sparked intense community backlash with a court injunction now in place to stop the decaying fig tree’s removal while the matter is settled in court.
Community member Melina Capogreco has been one of those challenging the decision, creating a petition which received more than 1000 signatures and a fundraiser which has raised more than $4,000.
Capogreco said the community backlash was more about open communication between council and community.
“Saving the tree would be a great outcome, absolutely, but that is not exactly what we are about,” Capogreco said. “The problem here is not about the tree, but the lack of communication with the community about the tree.”
Capogreco claimed community members asked the council to share the ecology reports and assessments to understand how and why the decision was made.
She said an ecologist attended the site and reviewed the tree, before the community was advised the next day the tree would be removed.
It was on the same night that Capogreco sought an injunction in the Supreme Court to stop the removal with Justice Darlene Skennar holding directions hearing, the court directing council contractors to stop any work on the tree.
A fundraiser started on Sunday October 18 has raised $4,394 of a $6,500 goal to pay for expert evidence and arborists reports for court, with a hearing on Monday, November 16.
A Douglas Shire Council spokesperson said : “council will make no further comment while the matters is being resolved through the court process.”
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