Trees poisoned at protected site but landowner blames trespassers
Testing of samples collected from dead trees during a police raid on a heritage-listed site in Atherton has confirmed a number of large trees were poisoned.
Cairns
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Testing of samples collected from dead trees during a police raid on a heritage-listed site in Atherton has confirmed a number of large trees were poisoned.
On Thursday the Department of the Environment, Tourism, Science and Innovation announced samples taken from the Atherton Arboretum showed the trees were poisoned.
The development is the latest chapter in a clash between the heritage regulator and property owner Savannah Seven since the company acquired the old CSIRO Tropical Research Centre in November 2023 for $1.3m.
At the time of the sale the 1.2ha site was in the process of being added to the Queensland Heritage Register, but was not fully protected until the inclusion of trees into the register in August 2024.
And in November last year DETSI was forced to enlist the support of police after property owners denied access to officials investigating reports of dying trees on the Maunds Rd site.
Since Savannah Severn directors Dorothy Prince and Brett Murray took possession of the property and while the Heritage Register application was being evaluated, a significant number of trees were bulldozed at the site, which resulted in a ministerial stop work order.
Neither Ms Prince nor Mr Murray is accused of any wrongdoing, and no charges have been laid in relation to the incidents.
Asked about testing that confirmed the trees were poisoned Ms Prince said she “didn’t know anything about that” before claiming an unknown group had trespassed on the site.
DETSI stated a second stop work order was issued in November 2024 and remains in place until February 25, while appealing for new information about the poisoned trees.
“Our investigation is ongoing, and anyone with information is asked to contact us on 1300 130 372, information can be provided anonymously,” a DESI spokesman said.
Co-author of the application to have the Atherton Arboretum entered onto the Queensland Heritage Register, Gemma Horner said there had been a high level of community interest in preserving some rare rainforest tree species considered “irreplaceable” by forestry scientist Kevin Harding.
“There are definitely members of the community that are keeping an eye on the site but to me that’s very fair given what has happened in the past with the clearing,” she said.
“I think that there’s very valid concerns that it’s a listed heritage site, that trees were dying and the landowner was not allowing DETSI access to the site.
“Since the property was purchased I’m not aware of anyone entering that site.
“I have not heard of anyone accessing that site that should not have been from my side.”
In November last year it was stated by DETSI that plant and soil samples collected during the raid would be tested to determine if any offences had been committed under the Queensland Heritage Act 1992.
But after it was revealed the trees were purposely killed the department declined to state if any offences had been committed or if there was any evidence linking the poisoned trees to any individual.
During the execution of the search warrant last year up to 15 people, including a locksmith, police officers and a drone operator undertook a thorough five-hour inspection of the property.
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