Shoalhaven mayor Patricia White to reinstate 45 Degree Tree Rule

A newly elected mayor is set to deliver on an election promise, reinstating the ‘45 Degree Tree Rule’, established to allow residents to remove dangerous trees without council red tape, after a 2002 tragedy in the Shoalhaven.

Shoalhaven Council will vote on reinstating the plan on Monday.

The widow of a man killed by a falling tree on their south coast home decades ago, has shared her relief at a bid by a newly elected mayor to reinstate the tree removal rule created in her husband’s honour, months after it was controversially amended.

The ‘45 Degree Tree Rule’ was created in 2004 for the Shoalhaven LGA, allowing residents to remove trees and branches they deemed a threat of falling on their property, without seeking council consent.

The rule was created after Gordon Timbs was killed in Nowra in 2002, when a tree fell on his house in the middle of the night.

However, the rule was controversially amended in August last year by then Shoalhaven mayor, Amanda Findley.

The rule change allowed residents to remove trees if there was an “immediate” danger that it could fall within a 12 month time frame.

Gordon Timbs was killed when a gumtree fell on his south coast home in 2002.

Newly elected mayor, Patricia White, campaigned this year under the promise she would reinstate the rule from 20 years ago.

Ms White told this publication she was delivering on that promise at Shoalhaven Council’s first ordinary meeting of the new council term on Monday.

Shoalhaven mayor, Patricia White.

“The amount of confusion and frustration these amendments made is unbelievable,” she said.

Council papers state the rule would be reinstated back to its original form, allowing residents to remove trees they deemed a threat without council consent.

“It will remove the unnecessary red tape,” Ms White said.

“It’s so needed, it’s a lifesaving rule.”

Gordon Timbs’ wife, Carlene Timbs.

The late Mr Timb’s wife, Carlene Timbs, said she was thankful for Ms White bringing back the original rule.

“Ms White has worked tirelessly for what is right over the last 18 months,” she said.

Not only will Ms White intend to reinstate the 2004 rule, but she plans to change the name to the “Gordon Timbs 45 Degree Tree Rule”.

Mrs Timbs has been honoured by the move.

“It won’t bring Gordon back, but it will prevent another family going through our nightmare,” she said.

Shoalhaven Council will vote to reinstate the 2004 ‘45 Degree Tree Rule’ and change its name to honour Gordon Timbs at Monday’s council meeting.

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Originally published as Shoalhaven mayor Patricia White to reinstate 45 Degree Tree Rule