Controversial decision to remove gum trees in Kingaroy sparks debate

The South Burnett Regional Council has made a controversial decision about a cluster of gum trees on a main road months after a home was damaged.

Controversy and debate has arisen after local council decided to remove a potentially dangerous cluster of gum trees.

Controversy and debate has arisen after the council decided to remove a potentially dangerous cluster of gum trees that already injured a man and crashed through his roof.

The South Burnett Regional Council voted to remove 12 large eucalyptus trees located on the corner of Haly St and Albert St on Wednesday, March 19.

The trees, some of which stand up to 30m in height, are on council property but sit on the corner of a residential home.

The decision came after two trees were toppled by the destructive storms that hit the region earlier this year.

In January, an elderly man was hospitalised with a head injury after one of the trees fell onto his house and crashed through the roof.

An assessment by Council parks staff, including an arborist and a local tree service contractor, found that even though the trees were in a healthy condition, significant rainfall could cause healthy trees to “fail and fall”.

There is an additional risk of branches breaking off in high winds.

In January, an elderly man was hospitalised with a head injury after one of the trees fell onto his house and crashed through the roof. Picture: Kim Anderson

The motion divided the councillors, with four voting for the motion and three voting against.

During discussion on the motion, Councillor Jane Erkens said she was “fairly concerned” and “not happy” the council were cutting down some trees while others had not been removed.

“I’ve had a number of people complain to me about trees in Nanango they are concerned about,” she said.

Cr Ros Heit said this was why the council was putting forward a tree maintenance and planting policy, which would help make decisions like this easier in the future.

“I understand what councillor Erkens is saying, that we have a lot of residents across the region concerned about trees,” she said.

“It is an emotive issue for many people who have trees near their houses.”

The issue continued to create division on social media, with most people seemingly in support of removing the trees.

“Wrong trees for public place. They are not called ‘widow makers’ for nothing!” one person said.

Two months later, the home on Haly Street is still damaged and covered in tarps.

“It’s sad to say but they needed to be gone years ago,” another person said.

“Feel sorry for the couple that had (their) house destroyed by one.”

In contrast, others spoke of the benefits established trees provide, like shelter and oxygen.

One person argued this could mean more rate rises in the future as more and more trees are removed by the council.

“So the precedent has been set and all council trees that look like threatening premises and its surrounds will have to be removed and ratepayers will foot the bill,” they said.

One local man took aim at the councillors who voted against the motion, calling them out by name and referring to them as “foolish” and “disgraceful” for their choice.

According to the council report, it will cost close to $20,000 to remove and stump grind the trees and replace them with five suitable street trees, which would come from the Parks Operational budget.

Council has not yet announced when the trees will be removed.

Originally published as Controversial decision to remove gum trees in Kingaroy sparks debate