VIDEO: Alstonville's tall tree removed from Main Street
RESIDENTS watched the eight-hour removal operation of a beloved local icon.
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RESIDENTS watched the removal of a beloved local icon.
The Norfolk Island pine on Main St was removed by Essential Energy due concerns regarding safety and the surrounding power network.
About 10 Essential Energy contractors started work at 7.30am to remove the towering giant, an operation that took until mid-afternoon.
Four cars, a crane and a woodchipper were needed to remove the top part of the tree by 10am.
By 10.30am crews had turned most of the top half into woodchips.
Traffic controllers managed traffic while Main St was closed.
The public was required to use alternate routes while travelling through the town.
The move does not require consent from Balllina Shire Council, although the matter was on the agenda to tell the community through the C Ward meeting on Thursday, July 9.
Essential Energy's acting operations manager, Brad Nott said fallen tree branches can have a considerable impact on the surrounding community.
"Trees coming into contact with overhead powerlines pose serious hazards to people, wildlife and the surrounding environment, with potential for damage to property, injury, fires and unplanned power outages," he said.
The Electricity Supply Act 1995 will allow private contractors to remove the tree.
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