Residents lose fight to save 120-year-old fig tree from destruction
First the iconic Palace Hotel was knocked down, now a 120-year-old fig tree has been cleared to make way for a new 15 storey unit complex which was only granted approval last week. SEE THE VIDEO
Moreton
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Despite objections from hundreds of residents a developer has cleared a 30m tall fig tree at Woody Point to make way for a new 45m high unit block.
The fig tree has stood at the site at Gayundah Esplanade at Woody Point for 120 years.
A Facebook poll conducted by the Redcliffe Herald found 423 wanted to see the tree saved.
Phyllis Hawgood wrote on the Herald Facebook page “these beautiful old trees should never be removed.”
“Save it! I am the closest neighbour to this tree and while it makes a mess I can’t bear it to be bulldozed! It’s home to so many animals and birds,” wrote Suzy Mlr.
Lise Kopittke said too many trees had been cleared to make way for development.
Others called for the tree to be relocated.
The block of land was also once home to the Palace Hotel – where the Bee Gees famously played their first paid gig.
Traders in Purple have approval to clear the block and build a 45m tall 158-unit block and 13 two-bedroom townhouses at the site.
The application, while approved by Moreton Bay Regional Council in December last year, was only approved by the Planning and Environment Court on October 1.
A group of residents, known as the Woody Point Action Group, had appealed council’s approval stating the development, which is double the height recommended in the planning scheme, would ruin the lifestyle and amenity of the suburb and create traffic chaos.
“WPAG had tried to get the tree listed as ‘significant’ with council, but was told by the Strategic Planning and Place Making Team Leader that this complicated process could take several years,” group president Derek Catterall said.
Work crews were spotted at the site today cutting down the tree one branch at a time.
Residents were not happy to see the tree removed.
