‘So farewell to the Norfolk Island pines’, is one of the famous lines in the Midnight Oil song called ‘Dreamworld’. 40 years later it’s still happening. With the removal of one of the famous Norfolks which stood tall in the Apex Park near the surf lifesaving club. The excuse was safety reasons due to Cyclone Alfred.
There have been ongoing rumours throughout Australia that Norfolks get a fungus disease and salinity poisoning. They never did 20 years ago. These Norfolk pines in Byron were planted nearly 100 years ago. The main reason for planting this species of pine is its tolerance to high wind and salinity. Just look at where they are from. Norfolk Island. It’s a small windy and salty island in the Pacific Ocean east of Australia. The Norfolk Island pines are a symbol to remember fallen soldiers who fought overseas.
All over coastal Australian towns you usually see these famous pines. Planted on either side of the road on the way into towns and along beach fronts.
Sometimes these pine trees are taken down due to some proposed development in which the pine tree would obstruct the view of their muilt-storey boujee (bourgeoisie-luxurious or high class) development. It happened in Brunswick Heads multiple times in the last 20 years.
Alright let’s forget about past history and nature. When you can live in a Dreamworld reality.
For four decades The Echo has printed the stories some people loved, some people hated, and some pretended not to read. If you want us to keep telling the truth, the real truth, not the sugar-coated version. We’ll need your support to keep the presses rolling. 
