300-year-old Brisbane tree spared the axe

One of Brisbane’s oldest trees has been spared from the chainsaw after an 11th-hour change of plans for an elite high school academy.

The 300-year-old grey ironbark at Toowong has been spared the chainsaw.

ONE of Brisbane’s oldest trees has been spared from the chainsaw after a last-minute change of plans for the Toowong “Smart State’’ academy expansion.

Conservationists have been battling since last year to save the 300-year-old grey ironbark, near the Soudan St Bridge, which has an obvious Aboriginal canoe scar, and rare remnant bush along Toowong Creek.

Education Minister Grace Grace said the Queensland Academy For Science, Mathematics and Technology’s Northern Learning Centre would be moved.

Work was due to start tomorrow, weather permitting.

Ms Grace said her department had worked with the Department of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Partnerships and the traditional owners, the Turrbal people, to ensure the expansion could still be delivered while respecting the cultural and environmental sensitivities of the site.

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

“My department takes its role in supporting environmental protection and minimising the

impact of our actions on the environment very seriously,” Ms Grace said.

“Senior officers from my department have had a series of discussions with the Turrbal and they’ve agreed with our proposal to adjust the location of the building in order to avoid impacts on the tree.’’

The $36 million expansion is to accommodate students from Years 7-10.

Zoologist Iris Hing said while she was happy the tree had been saved, the building would be moved only 11.4m, the minimum distance needed to protect its root zone.

She said habitat for the endangered tusked frog would still go.

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She was also grateful the department would not seek $150,000 in court costs from Aboriginal elder, Uncle Sam Watson, who had been fighting to save the tree and the remnant forest.

Uncle Sam said the area was important to the Turrbal as it was connected to Mt Coot-tha by ancient “song lines’’.

Ms Grace said the $36.3 million Stage Two expansion included the construction of the

Northern Learning Centre and a STEM hub.

“This wonderful project will support up to 96 full-time jobs which is a welcome boost to the

local economy,” she said.

“Work on the Northern Learning Centre is expected to begin (on April 17) and is expected to be finished in March 2020, featuring 12 classrooms, staff rooms, undercover parking and a courtyard.

“The centre is expected to accommodate year 8 and 9 students.

“Meanwhile, construction of the STEM building started in February and is expected to be

finished in time for day one of the 2020 school year.”

Ms Grace said the project would deliver exciting opportunities for high-achieving Queensland

state school students.

“QASMT is going from strength to strength, with the first intake of year 7 students walking

through the doors in term one this year,” Ms Grace said.