City of Hobart staff remove rocks placed under trees after homeless could not pitch tents

After large rocks were placed under two sequoia trees in a Hobart park, preventing homeless people from pitching tents, the council has now removed the obstructions. Why they backpedaled.

Grassroots Action Network Tasmania organiser Amy Booth after boulders were placed under two sequoia trees in St. David’s Park, Hobart. Picture: Chris Kidd

Rocks which were placed under trees in St David’s Park in Hobart, leaving homeless people unable to pitch their tents, have now been removed by the council.

On Tuesday the council said the two trees in question were on the significant tree register and that the rocks were placed there to protect them from recent activity including fires and camping.

A homeless woman who had been camping under the trees had been moved on by the council, for “anti-social behavioural issues and damage to public property”.

After the council placed the rocks under the trees, they were moved by activists in protest.

Since then, the council has chosen to remove the rocks altogether.

“Members of the public were trying to remove them themselves, they posed a threat to public safety so the city made the decision to take them from the park,” City of Hobart acting city life director Karen Abey said.

Ms Abey said the council would soon begin work to help the trees recuperate.

“A mulch and deep watering program will begin and the health of the trees listed on the significant tree register will be monitored throughout the summer,” she said.

“The stones were originally installed to allow the two Sequoia trees to recuperate after being damaged by anti-social behaviour.”

‘Not a solution’: Homeless blocked from pitching tents in Hobart park

December 19, 10:30am

Homeless people were unable to pitch their tents under trees at a Hobart park, after large rocks were placed there, something the council claims it did to protect the trees.

The rocks were placed under two sequoia trees last week, after a homeless woman was moved on from the park, for what the Hobart City council says was anti-social behaviour.

Grassroots Action Network Tasmania (GRANT) organiser, Amy Booth said she witnessed the boulders being put in place and spoke to a woman who was moved on.

“We witnessed the rocks being put there Wednesday or Thursday … It was quite a scene,” Ms Booth said.

City of Hobart staff moved boulders under trees, which prevented homeless people from pitching their tents. Image: Grassroots Action Network Tasmania.

“A lot of bags were wrapped up in bin bags, those had the belongings of the individual that was moved on.

“To block that area off with massive boulders is disgusting.”

In an act of protest, GRANT moved the boulders from under the trees and left messages for the council, painted in red.

“Support not stones,” one reads.

Grassroots Action Network Tasmania protested after the City of Hobart staff moved boulders under trees, which prevented homeless people from pitching their tents. Image: Grassroots Action Network Tasmania.

Grassroots Action Network Tasmania protested after the City of Hobart staff moved boulders under trees, which prevented homeless people from pitching their tents. Image: Grassroots Action Network Tasmania.

Ms Booth said the woman who was moved on was also told she was banned from the park for 30 days.

“She’s in this limbo state … This is the place she frequents and she had to go quite a fair distance out of Hobart,” Ms Booth said.

Ms Booth said there was a community of people suffering housing stress who sought shelter under the trees.

“The question is where are they being moved on to? The idea of moving people and there being a question mark, that’s not a solution,” she said.

“We are in the middle of a housing crisis. More and more you’ll see tents popping up.

“If people are going to be moved it needs to be secure housing, that is safe and appropriate.”

Grassroots Action Network Tasmania protested after the City of Hobart staff moved boulders under trees, which prevented homeless people from pitching their tents. Image: Grassroots Action Network Tasmania.

Ms Booth said the incident was directly linked to Hobart’s housing crisis.

“This housing crisis isn’t going to get any better if there isn’t federal state and government intervention,” she said.

City of Hobart acting city life director Karen Abey said the woman was not moved on for the sole reason of being homeless, claiming it was in response to “anti-social behavioural issues and damage to public property.”

“Ultimately anti-social behaviour and community safety is the issue here, not homelessness. Council do not move people on for being homeless,” she said.

Ms Abey said the two trees in question were on the significant tree register and that the rocks were placed there to protect them.

“Recent activities, including several fires and camping, have significantly damaged the lower canopy and caused soil compaction around the tree base,” Ms Abey said.

“Placing rocks under the canopy is a temporary measure to prevent additional widespread soil compaction.”

Ms Abey said the council was working with police and the Salvation Army to help those seeking refuge in the park.

“It is noted however that there are ongoing safety issues for community members utilising the park and further action is required,” she said.