It’s the tree a neighbourhood brought back from the brink. A community push to save a fig tree in Sydney’s eastern suburbs prompted the council to reverse its decision to send in the chainsaws.
A motivated group of more than 20 residents devoted hours to running a campaign to stop Randwick City Council removing one of five interlinked figs in the tree-lined Quail Street, Clovelly.
Louisa Wright, left, and Zoe Wilesmith and child and the saved Quail Street fig.
It followed a complaint about damage to private property and a claim for repair costs.
Councillors voted by majority on February 25 to remove the decades-old Hills weeping fig in the beachside enclave and replace it with a “super advanced” weeping lilly pilly at an estimated cost of $15,000.
That decision was paused pending an extraordinary general meeting on March 25 in light of the community uproar, but councillors again voted by majority (8-7) against a proposal to postpone removal, seek further information, and consider “all alternative options to tree removal”.
A council report had concluded the roots of the 24-metre tree could not be pruned further without affecting its structural stability and health, and removing it would have negligible impact on fauna and habitat.
“Further, based on our insurer’s recommendation to settle the claim, council would no longer be insured for damage caused by this tree and its roots,” the report said.
But in a statement on Thursday, Randwick Mayor Dylan Parker said the tree would not be removed after further discussions with the council’s insurer.
“The difficult decision to remove the Quail St fig tree was made on the clear advice that council would no longer be insured for either property damage or personal injury caused by the tree going forward. This fact tied council’s hands requiring removal,” Parker said.
“Since then, council staff and I have continued to work closely with our insurer, Statewide Mutual, to explore every possible alternative to keep the tree.
“I am pleased to announce that we have reached a position where council has been able to obtain partial insurance cover for future damage caused by the tree.
“This positive change of circumstance means that our risk exposure has now been reduced to a level that no longer requires removal of the tree.”
Local homeowner Rob Aird, an engineer who works in construction and property development, was one of the drivers of the community campaign.
“We’d love to thank the council and the insurer … for coming to a pragmatic, sensible solution,” he said.
The Quail Street fig tree bathed in afternoon sun on Thursday.
“We look forward to getting all of the Quail Street fig trees on the significant trees register ... to ensure their protection in the long term.”
Zoe Wilesmith, another resident, said: “Randwick City Council’s reversal on the decision to remove the tree is so warmly welcomed by the residents of Quail Street, Arden Street, Beach Street and beyond.
“This is a wonderful demonstration of people power – the man-hours of work that residents have put into saving this tree, and the expenses incurred from commissioning independent reports and legal advice have all been justified by council’s welcome reversal.”
It was a “massive community effort which started with a desperate call-out to our neighbours for help”, said Quail Street resident Angela Mork.
“And help they did. What a wonderful community we are part of. Here’s to saving the Quail Street trees and many more in our district from destruction.”
Start the day with a summary of the day’s most important and interesting stories, analysis and insights. Sign up for our Morning Edition newsletter.