Bischof Park Nerang trees removed, leaving locals furious

Residents are furious after large, shade-providing trees were removed from the playground area of a busy Gold Coast park, with one labelling their destruction “an absolute disgrace”.

LOCALS have bee left “devastated” after Gold Coast City Council “hastily” cut down large shade-providing trees at Bischof Park in Nerang, leaving the children’s playground exposed to the sun.

Councillor Peter Young said he was “distressed” about the removal of the trees, likening the sun-exposed park to a “desert”.

“The place is looking like a desert. This loss especially affects the playground area, it is devastating,” he said.

He said his office was given notice the trees would be removed last Monday and when he sought a delay on their removal it was too late.

“The loss of these trees was certainly not envisaged and creates a huge impact,” he said.

“I have held a discussion with the Chief Executive Officer and I am trying to get a plan of action in progress ASAP to create much-needed shade, it is so sad.”

The playground at Bischoff Park in Nerang before the large shady trees were removed.

The playground as it is now following the removal of the trees.

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Cr Young said Council deemed the mature trees to have a “high failure target potential” with “various visible hollows and decay sections compromising structural integrity”.

But local wildlife experts fear these “hollows” would likely have been housing nests with spring babies.

Nerang local and wildlife vet nurse at Currumbin wildlife hospital, Amy De Boer, said the mature trees would have provided homes for wildlife.

“The number of animals that get admitted every year is growing significantly and the biggest reason is habitat destruction,” she said.

“The Gold Coast council has removed so many large old growth trees in the last few months and our wildlife is getting driven out.

“Being spring at the moment too, it’s highly likely that these trees could have been housing nests with babies.”

The playground at Bischoff Park at Nerang before the large shady trees were removed.

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Nerang mother Lauren Burns said it was “a shame” the natural shade had been taken away.

“We have been playing Friday group sport there with our kids for about one year now as this was one of the very few parks with shady trees and providing some shade for little kids,” she said.
“Our kids coach searched and searched for parks with shade and enough area for kids to play sport. Few and far between. Now we have nothing.”

Nerang local Rebecca Thompson said the removal of the trees was “an absolute disgrace”.

“Let’s be honest, a shade cloth going over a park is not ever going to replace the way a tree provides shade, as there will be no connection to a living tree, or the beauty of nature that trees always give,” she said.

The park will be upgraded in February next year, with the barbecue and existing shelters replaced and all-abilities access installed, as well as new picnic settings.

A new lighting installation is currently being constructed.