More than $250,000 worth of tree allegedly illegally felled at Tony Morton’s Lower Beechmont property

A Gold Coast hinterland pensioner says his “legacy” of leaving a rainforest behind to his children has been destroyed after up to $250,000 worth of trees were allegedly illegally chopped down. Look at the difference

Adam Morton surveys the rewgrowth after the damage done to the area. Picture Glenn Hampson

A Gold Coast hinterland pensioner says his “legacy” of leaving a rainforest behind to his children has been destroyed after up to $250,000 worth of trees were allegedly illegally chopped down.

Criminal lawyer Antoinette Westcott alleged the equivalent of eight volleyball courts worth of trees had been illegally cut down at her parent’s property in Lower Beechmont.

Ms Westcott said they have been unable to identify who cut down the trees.

“(But) there was no authority for any person to enter the property and fell the trees,” she said.

Ms Westcott alleged the tree felling was done just before a major landslip in March 2022, which closed Beechmont Road for nearly 18 months.

“In late March 2022, it became apparent more than 40 mature trees had been felled and left on the ground at the (Lower Beechmont) property,” she said.

“A further 40 saplings were destroyed by the falling trees.”

Ms Westcott said it cost her 90-year-old father up to $25,000 to have debris professionally removed.

“Since the illegal felling, the family has spent more than 400 hours repeatedly removing lantana, wild tobacco bush and giant devil’s fig to give the land its best chance of regenerating,” she said.

“The land has been subject to multiple rock falls because it is no longer held together by mature tree roots.”

Ms Westcott said her mum, Beth Morton – who passed away in 2017 – bought the four acre property in 1989.

Tony and Beth then made it their mission to leave the property as a restored rainforest for their children.

“Dad is distressed that his legacy has been destroyed,” Ms Westcott said.

Tony Morton on his Lower Beechmont property. Photo: Antoinette Westcott

Ms Westcott said they wanted to share their story after finding out trees at Beechmont Primary School had been “attacked and ringbarked”.

Ringbarking strips back the bark on a tree, preventing nutrients reaching the leaves, which kills the tree.

Resident Colin Pearce shared a post to a community page on Facebook in July which showed up to 14 damaged trees which were planted by students 39 years ago.

Division 3 Scenic Rim councillor Stephen Moriarty said they were trying to find out who was responsible for the ringbarking.

“It’s understandable that local residents are disappointed and dismayed by this and we are trying to find out who is responsible,” he said.

“Council will be sending a letter to every Beechmont resident asking if anyone knows anything about the incident to come forward.”

Adam Morton surveys the rewgrowth after the damage done to the area. Picture Glenn Hampson

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