TV gardening guru Costa Georgiadis celebrates after Cairns Library T5 fig tree retained
Celebrity gardener Costa Georgiadis has shared his delight after a Cairns landmark was given a new lease of life. This is how he influenced the debate.
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UPDATE: CELEBRITY gardener Costa Georgiadis is elated the historic fig tree that has stood sentinel over the Cairns Library for close to a century will not be cut down.
For more than six years the axe of Cairns Regional Council has hovered over the heritage listed fig tree that has suffered a long bout of ill health.
For the past two years an exclusion zone had been set up around the tree to prevent injury if branches fell to the ground.
The Lake St tree estimated to be between 70 and 100-years old, known as T5, was has faced an uncertain future and has long being under threat of removal.
In an ironic turn of fate the relocation of a spectacled flying fox colony from the tree in 2020 has assisted the tree to regenerate canopy foliage, according to the council but the internal structure is not totally out of the woods. Lateral branches will require props until arboreal roots can recover enough to support their immense weight.
Division 5 Councillor Amy Eden said officially the advocacy by respected green thumb Mr Georgiadis did little to influence council tree boffins but the plea to Cairns Post readers earlier this year that, “it’s our job to leave such wonders behind for the next generation,” resonated with many.
“What he said encapsulates the community sentiment and the fact that he is credible and highly regarded, there was significant weight to what he had to say,” she said.
In a text to Cr Eden on Thursday Mr Georgiadis expressed his pleasure.
“The bestest news (three love heart emojis,)” he wrote.
Cairns and Far North Environment Centre director Lucy Graham said in April CAFNEC presented council an alternative proposal to the removal of T5 and expressed how important the tree was to the Cairns community.
“With the help of community members and experts such as the Environmental Defenders Office, arborists and also staff at the council, we were able to understand both the on-the-ground management and policy context of this issue and present an alternative to councillors to ensure community safety and protect the tree,” she said.
Deputy Mayor Terry James believed the community would be pleased to see the tree retained but warned the tree’s condition could present a risk to public safety.
“This is a significant tree and council was committed to exploring the feasibility of protecting and supporting the fig tree,” Cr James said.
“It would seem that once the stress of having hundreds of flying foxes roosting in it branches was removed, the tree has been able to recover quite quickly.”
Cr Eden said interpretative signage would be installed to tell the story of the tree and acknowledgment of a Frist Nations narrative would tell a story of place.
EARLIER: A historic tree in the Cairns CBD which had over $1m spent on it will live to stand another day after it showed “marks of recovery” following years of declining health.
The large heritage listed fig tree located on Lake St, known as T5, was facing possible removal but will be retained by Cairns Regional Council under a long-term proposal to rejuvenate the site.
It comes after six years of efforts to minimise risks to the public and save the tree, including trimming, maintenance, bracing, fencing and other supports. However, following the flying fox relocation program in 2020, the tree has shown marked signs of recovery.
Deputy Mayor Terry James said that the community would be pleased to see the tree retained.
“This is a significant tree and Council was committed to exploring the feasibility of protecting and supporting the fig tree,” Cr James said.
“However, Council needed to be mindful of the tree’s condition and the risk to public safety.
“Like everyone else, I was pleased to see vibrant green shoots as the tree seemingly came back to life.
“It would seem that once the stress of having hundreds of flying foxes roosting in it branches was removed, the tree has been able to recover quite quickly.
During its deliberations on the future of the tree, council officers met with representatives of Cairns and Far North Environment Centre (CAFNEC) and committed to reviewing the cost implications and practicality of any, and all, measures to protect and support the health of the tree.
Division 5 Councillor Amy Eden said she was delighted that the much-loved tree could be retained.
“While the canopy has recovered post flying fox relocation, the internal structure of the tree is still compromised, and measures will need to be undertaken to minimise risks and support the tree to heal.”
“This will include the use of props to help brace certain branches until the natural arboreal roots are able sustain their weight.
“Interpretative signage will be installed to tell the story of the tree, complemented by a First Nations narrative that respects and acknowledges cultural heritage to tell the story of place.”
A fence will need to be retained to provide an exclusion zone beneath the tree’s canopy until such time the area is deemed safe for public use.
Cr James said Council would need to consider the size and structure of the fence, as well as how the surrounding area can be landscaped to improve the amenity, its ambience and future use.
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