Isle of Capri tree removal for bridge to Surfers Paradise slammed by residents

Third generation Isle of Capri residents say they are devastated council is unmoved over their plans to remove 70-year-old fig trees to construct a four-lane bridge into the city centre.

THIRD generation Isle of Capri residents say they are devastated council is unmoved over their plans to remove up to nine, 70-year-old fig trees to construct a four-lane bridge into the city centre.

Those living on the small Surfers Paradise island say they are already mourning the anticipated loss of the iconic trees as plans for the decongestion project move ahead despite calls for a community forums and a meeting with council staff and councillor Gary Baildon last week.

The project on the Isle is part of a major east-west connection to replace the existing 60-year-old bridge, which is near capacity at around 18,000 cars per day, with a four-lane bridge project to take on 25,000 cars per day.

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Isle of Capri resident Mr Grant Kindt with his children Henry, aged 2 months, and Edward, 2. Picture: Mike Batterham

The concerns follow a number of other major vegetation removal works across the Gold Coast, including the replacement of 22 fig trees on Nerang-Broadbeach Road last month with 44 Eumundi trees, and the replacement of a number of trees on the median strip outside the Coolangatta Airport by the State Government.

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It is understood a further 125 trees (weeping lilly pillies and rose-apples) at the Lakeland Signature Living in Merrimac have been approved to be removed and replaced in the coming weeks.

While all the mature tree removal has been approved due to being a hazard to traffic and powerlines or anticipated damage to infrastructure, residents say more input should be made to preserve the mature trees in the area.

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Gold Coast City Council have ripped down 22 mature fig trees on Nerang Broadbeach Road and replaced them with 44 Eumundi trees, which are a rainforest species. Picture: Glenn Hampson

Jessica Kindt, a third generation Isle of Capri resident said the plans to remove the large trees at the entry to the island will change the “essence of the space”.

“It wasn’t until about a month ago when it was all done and dusted that we found out about it,” the mother of two said.

“The trees have always been there as a symbol of our community and our entrance, a similar thing down at Sorrento where large trees were removed. It seems to me any kind of progress comes as a detriment to our natural space.”

Suzy Richer, who has lived on the Isle of Capri for a quarter of a century had pushed for a public meeting to discuss the plan further and started a petition.

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Grant Kindt and his family would like the trees to stay. Picture: Mike Batterham

Instead she was granted a small meeting with council officers.

She is concerned the development would turn the island into a thoroughfare.

“It is just bit by bit we are seeing these trees go, we feel pretty defeated,” Ms Richer said.

“All we can do now is try to mitigate the damage that the implementation of the project will have on the local community — with issues such as loss of trees, loss of parkland, rat-running, loss of parking, speeding and safety around the school drop off and pick up zones.”

Ms Richer said council officers had indicated a willingness to help resolve some of these issues.

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Area councillor Gary Baildon said every effort is made by council to preserve the mature trees but the “greater good” must be considered.

“Nobody wants to see trees go, particularly myself who had always sponsored the planting of trees,” Cr Baildon said.

“It is our responsibility to do the right thing by our community and instead of buying up houses to complete this work unfortunately the project impacts on a few fig trees.

“Council is not about knocking down trees when we feel like it, these matters take months to years of careful planning, it is a policy of council to save the trees wherever we can.”

A Gold Coast City Council spokesman said a minimum number of trees will be affected and one of the Moreton Bay figs will be relocated to a suitable site.

To help compensate for the required tree removals, a landscaping masterplan includes planting over 70 new trees and installing a new river viewing platform as well as improving amenities in the John Fraser Memorial Park.

Council will continue consultation throughout the project.