Harbourside McMahons Point: Council workers drill trees in bungle

Council contractors have left gaping holes in several historic trees and trampled residents’ garden beds in an almighty stuff up.

A repair job on a set of public steps resulted in police having to be called after a crew of council contractors began drilling into a row of historic trees on privately owned land.

Managers of the Harbourside apartment building in McMahons Point have called on North Sydney Council for answers after contractors drilled nine-inch holes into five trees and damaged garden beds on its property last month.

The incident occurred during a $180,000 upgrade of the public steps between East Crescent St and McMahons Point Wharf on the southern boundary of the Harbourside complex.

A photo of the works in progress.

A photo of the works in progress.

Things turned heated when contractors drilled coach bolts into the trunks of the Brush Box on Harbourside’s property in order to brace the framework of the steps.

The incident resulted in police and the council’s deputy mayor called to the scene by residents due to concerns over the long-term implications to health of the trees and the council’s rights on private land.

Harbourside’s maintenance manager David Archer said the council had not provided any forewarning to residents about the extent of the works.

Residents say garden beds were trampled.

A photo of one of the impacted trees.

“Those trees were planted in the early 1900s by returned Diggers and for some reason they thought it was okay to drill into them. It beggars belief,” he said.

“The holes are still there and we don’t know what long-term impact they could have on the trees with insects and rot getting in.

“If I went to a park and put even a nail or a scratch in a tree I’d be read the Riot Act and charged with unlawfully destructing public property.

The trees are to the north of the walkway.

A photo of the gardens and trees before the works took place.

“They’ve also destroyed all the garden beds and poured concrete into garden beds to wash off their materials. The body corporate now has to have it all redone.”

In a statement, North Sydney Council said the incident was “unfortunate” and has apologised to impacted residents.

A council spokeswoman said residents were sent a letter about the works seven days beforehand and signs were also displayed at the top of the stairs before the works commenced.

A photo of the damaged garden beds.

A photo of the works in progress.

“Unfortunately there was a misunderstanding by council’s contractors on the boundary line in this location who thought the trees were on council’s land because they are immediately adjacent to the stairs,” a spokeswoman said.

“Upon realising their mistake, the contractors apologised to the residents for using trees on their property. Council is also sorry to hear about this error and will also be apologising to the residents.”

The incident meanwhile prompted a meeting by the owners of the complex last Monday to discuss the damage.

A photo of one of the trees.

The work was carried out last month.

Maggie Archer – the general manager of the complex – said a final quote was now being prepared and a letter would be sent to North Sydney Council requesting it covers its repair costs.

“Because the concrete was washed into the garden beds all the plants need to be stripped and replaced and the trees need to be patched. It could run into the thousands’ of dollars,” she said.

“You can stick a whole Biro pen into the holes so we’re looking to have the holes protected so it doesn’t lead to any long-term damage.”

The council spokeswoman said any claims of permanent damage to property or vegetation would be passed onto council’s contractors.

The trees are located next to the McMahons Point Wharf walkway.

She said inspections of the trees have been carried out by a council and independent arborist who both concluded “there would be no long-term impact to the health or wellbeing of the mature trees”.

The independent report stated: “given the trees’ maturity, health and vigour, the holes will naturally close through the production of callus material and wound wood response during the rapid growth phase of spring and summer.”

North Sydney deputy mayor Stephen Barbour said the council should have informed the contractors of the boundary lines before works commenced.

“Assumption is the mother of all mistakes – I think the assumption here is that the contractors knew that the trees were on private land and they’ve probably overstepped the mark,” he said.

“I appreciate the residents’ fears about it – someone’s on their private land and it looks extreme what’s been done.”