About 5000 Queensland box trees may be removed in Adelaide’s east because seeds pods are a slipping hazard
ABOUT 5000 Queensland box trees could be removed across Adelaide’s east — because of fears their seed pods are a major slipping hazard and have caused serious injuries to elderly people.
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ABOUT 5000 Queensland box trees could be removed across Adelaide’s eastern suburbs amid fears their seed pods are a major slipping hazard.
Norwood, Payneham & St Peters Council has called for a report on the future of the trees, which make up about a quarter of street trees across the district.
Councillor Kevin Duke called for the trees to be removed at a council meeting last week.
“This is the single biggest issue raised by residents in aged-care facilities with several members sustaining serious personal injuries,” Cr Duke said.
“The danger for residents slipping on these nuts on hard surfaces is akin to walking on ball bearings.
“Even a staff member of an aged care facility was seriously injured in one event on the footpath near her office. I’d like to pull them all out.”
His call was echoed by Cr Sue Whitington who recently slipped on Queensland box seed pods outside her Norwood home.
“Before I knew it, I was on the ground. I couldn’t get up, I was in so much pain,” she said.
“It’s hell. It hurts when you have to burp or sneeze or laugh. Turning over in bed is nigh on impossible.”
She said the council had to seriously consider replacing all of the trees as soon as possible.
“I’m not saying a wholesale pullout,” she said.
“But street by street … we need to consider replacing them with a different species. It’s a citywide hazard, not just near aged care homes, it’s everywhere.”
Cr Paul Wormald, who wanted more footpath sweeping to alleviate the problem, agreed the seed pods posed a “major safety hazard to less-nimble pedestrians”.
He said the pods were a “major, unmanaged health and safety risk”, the council had been guilty of “gross negligence” and action was required as soon as possible.
“We currently have no policy for their regular clean up and it seems this only occurs when individuals complain,” Cr Wormald said.
“We can no longer avoid this responsibility by arguing such a program would be too costly.”
In a deputation to the council, resident Hugh Greville called for an improved footpath sweeping program.
He said his wife had slipped in the past and now used a walking stick to navigate local footpaths.
A report to last week’s meeting said while the Queensland box “presented well” as a street tree, there were “significant issues associated with the debris”.
“As such, a strategic approach to this issue needs to be put in place which deals with the immediate issue of the risks … and the possible long-term strategy of replacing the trees,” the report said.
