Hope for ancient tree earmarked for destruction

One of Brisbane’s oldest trees could yet be spared from the chainsaw. The tree was headed for destruction, despite being protected, to make way for a school’s expansion.

How the ironbark looked a century ago when it was still large and had an obvious Aboriginal shield scar at the base.

ONE of Brisbane’s oldest trees could yet be spared from the chainsaw.

The grey ironbark, estimated by an arborist to be about 300 years old, is earmarked for destruction as part of Education Queensland (EQ) plans to expand the Toowong “Smart State’’ Academy to include Years 7-10.

ACADEMY EXPANSION THREAT TO WILDLIFE

WEBSITE CRASHES DURING CONSULTATION

300-YEAR-OLD TREE AT RISK

TOOWONG CREEK TRASHED: CLAIMS

Conservationists fighting the expansion have been granted a re-hearing in the Land Court after the court earlier ruled against their application to save the tree.

It is protected under the state Natural Assets Local Law 2003 as a “significant native vegetation’’ tree, but because it was on state land Brisbane City Council did not have jurisdiction.

The grey ironbark on the banks of Toowong Creek which is threatened by a school expansion.

Aboriginal elder Uncle Sam Watson said the tree was significant to the local indigenous people and had a large “shield scar’’ at the base where bark was removed to make a shield or canoe.

That part of Toowong Creek was an old Aboriginal camping ground and part of a “song line’’ extending up to Mt Coot-tha.

It is understood the government has had to pay compensation money to one Aboriginal group, but other Aboriginal communities were not consulted.

50C A DAY FOR 6 MONTHS: SUBSCRIBE TO WESTSIDE NEWS

& THE COURIER MAIL

Wildlife expert and zoologist Iris Wild said the Queensland Academy for Science Mathematics and Technology buildings should be built on another vacant part of its 10ha site, not near the creek.

“This is an absolute injustice for Aboriginal cultural heritage and for our local environment,” Ms Wild said.

“The Queensland Department of Environment and Science has conceded that the ecological report on which the developer is basing their work is flawed.

“Once we destroy the Aboriginal heritage, and once we wipe out the natural ecosystem, they are gone forever.

“We have taken our concerns to the QASMT management team and approached State Government with cultural and environmental evidence, not to mention environmental science students from the University of Queensland who ran a parliamentary petition that attracted 4,000 signatures.

“And yet the Queensland Government will not alter the designated location for this building — it is absolute madness.”

EQ has previously said it widely consulted with residents and was taking all measures to reduce environmental impacts, including run-off into Toowong Creek and disturbance to wildlife, including dust suppression and silt run-off controls and limits on nighttime lighting.

But the Save Toowong Creek group has set up a Facebook page with a petition to save the tree.