Wynn Vale residents battle Tea Tree Gully Council over tree damage

They were promised the Aussie dream, but a home among the gumtrees threatens to ruin this Wynn Vale couple’s future and the local council refuses to change its mind.

When they bought their northeast Adelaide home Jayne and Garry Kelly were setting up for the Australian dream, but now they’re rooted – literally.

The Kelly’s Wynn Vale home originally had green grass and a second driveway out the front but a significant Re Ironbark tree has left them stumped.

The tree’s roots have grown so large their grass has died, the house’s walkway has mounds, the driveway has been cemented over by council workers and cracks are forming in the house footings.

Mrs Kelly said the property’s value was under threat as a result of the damage.

“Our plumber said there’s no point even replacing the storm water until the tree has been removed as his camera saw it was full of tree roots,” she said.

About 13 months ago, the Kelly family asked Tea Tree Gully to have the tree removed, something estimated to cost $10,000.

Mrs Kelly told the council of the destruction the tree was doing and a motion was introduced for the couple to submit a development application to have the tree removed, of which the council would foot the bill.

But the motion was defeated.

“(We’ve been told) the tree has to be removed due to damage caused and public injury risk,” she said.

“Maybe (all that’s left to do) is a door knock to sign a petition as some kids have fallen on the roots.”

Cracked Path

A red ironbark tree at Wynn Vale has left residents Jayne and Garry Kelly at odds, with its roots slowly destroying their home. Picture: Brinley Duggan

After months of inaction and an unusable path, the council on Friday cemented the Kelly’s fate by laying a footpath and leaving the second driveway as but a distant memory.

The tree caused an issue for the concreters as well with the path having to curve around yet another stray root.

Photos from 2008, 2009 and 2013 show the root problem getting progressively worse as paving begins to lift and the second driveway disappears.

Google street view images show the tree's root problem getting progressively worse. This picture fis rom 2008. Picture: Google

Google street view images show the tree's root problem getting progressively worse. This picture is from 2009. Picture: Google

Google street view images show the tree's root problem getting progressively worse. This picture is from 2013. Picture: Google

Tea Tree Gully Deputy Mayor Lucas Jones, who originally voted to have the tree removed at the cost of council, said there was a chance it could be destroyed.

“Any elected member can bring the matter to council as it has occurred in the past,” he said.

“When it comes to dealing with trees I think as a council we should take a commonsense approach to the matter.

“I will certainly be raising this issue directly with council administration.”

Local Labor MP Blair Boyer said the sitation was “unfair”.

“To expect them to just cop this damage and the devaluation of their property is simply unfair,” he said.

“I challenge any fair-minded person to inspect the damage caused by this tree and not accept that something needs to be done.”