Horseshoe Bay residents hit out as palm trees toppled by house removal company

A house removal company has landed in hot water after cutting down a group of beloved palm trees on Magnetic Island without permission from council. Read what happened.

Residents have expressed outrage over roadside palm trees being torn down on Magnetic Island without authorisation from Townsville City Council.

Tree loppers started their chainsaws on Tuesday night to cut down five large 16-year-old foxtail palms, beautifying the medium strip on Sandals Blvd, Horseshoe Bay.

Angry resident Michael Papas said they were “shocked” to wake up and find the palms gone.

“We’re all furious,” he said.

“I can’t believe they didn’t give us any notice at all.

Cindy Shafer said she cried all day when she realised the trees were gone.

“It looks terrible. They should replace them.”

Local real estate expert Cindy Shafer, who worked with developers to plant the palms in 2006, said she heard the chainsaws going until 11pm.

“I cried all day when I realised they were gone,” she said.

“We planted them, especially because this is the entrance into our estate here. I’ve been getting a lot of calls from other neighbours who are also very upset.”

BEFORE: The palm trees that were cut down on Sandals Blvd, Horseshoe Bay.

NQ house relocation company Renewable Homes had the trees removed in order to fit a home they were moving down Sandals Blvd.

A spokesman from the company said they had been planning the move for seven months and the scope of this particular route identified a street light requiring removal.

AFTER: The palm trees were cut down on Sandals Blvd, Horseshoe Bay.

The spokesman said they organised the removal with Townsville council and Ergon Energy but “for whatever reasons” the pole wasn’t removed in time.

“The tough decision was made,” they said.

“It was decided that the foxtail palms would be the best of a worst-case scenario to cut down rather than a Pandanus tree, which are a native and are protected under the Environment Protection Act.”

A Townsville council spokeswoman said they were only made aware of the removal of the palm trees on Wednesday morning.

“The removal of the trees on Tuesday night was not authorised by council and is in breach of council’s Public Tree Management Policy,” she said.

“We are saddened and disappointed by these actions and are investigating as a priority to ensure appropriate action is taken.”

After the palm trees were cut down on Sandals Blvd, Horseshoe Bay.

After the palm trees were cut down on Sandals Blvd, Horseshoe Bay.

Originally published as Horseshoe Bay residents hit out as palm trees toppled by house removal company