Cairns Regional Council gets to work removing Freshwater fig tree
Onlookers mourned the loss of a beloved community figure that workers began removing on Thursday afternoon as a campaigner vented his anger. SEE THE VIDEO
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UPDATE THURSDAY: ONLOOKERS mourned the loss of a beloved community figure as workers began lopping limbs from an ancient suburban fig tree on Thursday afternoon.
The large weeping fig tree in Freshwater faced its tragic end in a four man job by Cairns Regional Council workers, who began work removing its many branches after public safety concerns.
Paul Matthews, a Freshwater resident, who petitioned for the tree to live on was more than disappointed with its removal.
Mr Matthews said he was “angry” with the council.
“There is no evidence of disease, it certainly had new aerial roots, and the tree was recovering,” he said.
“The old girl has certainly put up a fight but in the end how can you fight against chainsaws?”
The Freshwater resident, in his fight for its survival, privately commissioned arborist reports which claimed the tree was safe.
“All three arborist reports were a visual assessment except the resistograph report that is highly unreliable with fig trees,” Mr Matthews said.
“It’s disappointing.
“It’s wilful neglect, cars reign supreme and barriers need to be put up to stop cars parking under them.”
The council had the tree reviewed by arborists and received reports and feedback on the tree’s condition before deciding that a full removal was the safest option.
UPDATE MONDAY: FRESHWATER locals are waiting for the beginning of the fig tree removal at Richmond Park. No work has begun yet with Cairns Regional Council stating that the tree will be removed this week but have not yet finalised a day for the work.
Renae Lofthouse and her two children, five-year-old Sienna and two-year old Lucas Styles, were playing in the park today and having a picnic, near the tree which is currently fenced off with signs displayed informing of the tree’s removal and replacement.
Ms Lofthouse said it was sad to see the tree go, but was glad there would be a replacement.
“It’s definitely sad to see any tree be cut down but I think if they can replace it with something more suitable for the area that will be okay,” she said.
“There are a lot of parks that don’t offer a lot of shade so trees in the area and trees are very beneficial for that.”
When asked about what kind of tree Ms Lofthouse would like to see planted she was hopeful for a smaller tree but still would like it to be shady.
“Something that is not quite as big as this tree as it is going to start hindering on the existing buildings so something not quite as big but still provides some shade,” she said.
A spokesman from the Cairns Regional Council told the Cairns Post that the tree’s removal will have minimal impact on locals and businesses.
“There will be little impact to nearby businesses and organisations, other than noise and possibly some temporary loss of parking,” he said.
The removal of the tree is expected to be completed within one day.
UPDATE FRIDAY: THE iconic Freshwater fig tree, that has been the centre of a battle between Cairns Regional Council and critics over its future, will be removed on Monday.
The weeping fig tree has been a feature at Richmond Park in Freshwater for an estimated 65-70 years, but an arborist’s report found it to be in poor health.
An exclusion zone was placed around the tree with fencing in May after a branch fell on to a car and some of its limbs were removed as an emergency safety measure.
The council had the tree reviewed by arborists and received reports and feedback on the tree’s condition before deciding that a full removal was the safest option.
Division 6 Councillor Kristy Vallely said the tree felt like the heart of the area and the local community was devastated about its removal.
“This tree is a huge part of our community and is such a magical tree and its where we have The Freshwater festival so there is usually beautiful fairy lights in the tree,” she said.
“It feels like the heart of that area.
“To say that we are sad is an understatement.
“The locals are really sad to and want to obviously keep the tree there and it will be a really sad day for the community when it happens.”
She said part of the reason for the decay of the tree was due to its proximity to a driveway and people parking vehicles under the tree.
“These trees secure themselves they have one central stem and the canopy goes really far so they drop their roots in the soil and that where they get their nutrients from and because cars were parking underneath they couldn’t drop their roots and the oxygen could not get to the roots,” she said.
Cr Vallely confirmed that there will be a replacement and discussions were taking place into the type of tree.
“A new tree will definitely go in but we won’t put it as close to the driveway as this one was,” she said.
“With the new tree we want to make sure it is in a position to thrive.
“There has been a few conversations around what we will do but are no exact plans at this stage.”
The council is inviting residents to share their memories of the tree and send any stories, drawings, photos or questions to feedback@cairns.qld.gov.au and messages will be kept in a register by council and shared with the Stratford and Freshwater Community Association.
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