Chris Dobney
Ballina Shire Council’s plans to remove a 200-year-old Moreton Bay Fig tree in Lennox Head have once again come in for a drubbing after two local people locked to the tree on Sunday afternoon (June 3).
Sherrie Yeomans and Josh Kelly say they have chained themselves onto the tree ‘in an act of civil disobedience’ and are accusing Ballina Council of ignoring critical evidence that could save the tree.
‘We’re here with pretty much a constant stream of people coming and going [and] with a constant flow of media,’ Ms Yeomans told Echonetdaily from under an umbrella at the base of the tree on rainy Monday morning.
‘Council haven’t heard us. We’ve provided some amazing factual evidence that they’ve ignored again and again, so we’re not longer playing into council’s hands,’ Ms Yeomans said.
The tree was slated for demolition after it being blamed for cracks in the driveway and wall of a nearby home by the council’s insurers.
But Ms Yeomans added that now they had been rectified, ‘the situation is fixed’.
‘It’s fear mongering on council’s insurance company’s behalf but we believe a $14,000 root barrier could fix all remaining issues,’ she said.
‘The driveway’s 75mm slab was way too thin. It wasn’t a substantial enough slab to be laid there. The thicker 125mm slab couldn’t be lifted by tree roots,’ she added.
‘Tree not the problem: arborists
‘If the tree roots were really the problem, the roadway and four or five surrounding houses would have issues – but they don’t.
‘Council’s own arborists wrote reports stating that the fig is not the issue.
‘We’ve spoken to a veteran tree group who have offered their services for free but council has chosen not to take that option.
‘We’re not closed to options here. We’ve had interactions with the homeowners, who are happy with the repairs.
‘Most certainly the root barrier is the most sensible option,’ Ms Yeomans said.
Good ol’ Insurance companies again calling the shots !
Let’s have an enquiry into the practises of these bloodsuckers next !
The tree was there first!!
Looks like planners made the mistake of building the house too close to this amazing icon. The tree is very old and precious. Protect the tree! There are so few old fig trees left.
Keep up the good work. We are called to protect Nature. Some are willing to go all the way. Thankyou for your efforts.
Come on Council Listen to your Locals Save the tree.
Install different sewer pipes made from Neoprene with Welded Joints .
Then If owner not satisfied Buy house for Rated value .
Lease out to a food corp for cheap groceries vegetables Free cloths , food etc.
Come on Council do the root barrier! It would be a travesty to let this magnificent tree disappear. We will all regret it for sure.
It’s pretty sad reflection of council; clearly they are so close to the interests of big business.