Hinterland Grapevine - Councillor wants to save local fig tree

A fig tree which juts out over the junction of Bunya Street and the Maleny-Landsborough Road is again under the threat of the chainsaw, despite the best efforts of a proportion of Maleny's community some 10 years ago.

Back then Maleny citizen Harry Whitehouse attempted to raise funds for the tree's relocation after road users and those accessing Maleny's primary school complained its position exacerbated traffic and parking problems.

Now anti-tree sentiment is on the rise again.    Fortunately the tree has found a new champion second time around in the form of Division One Councillor Dick Newman.    Cr Newman said the tree was causing complaints and the state and local governments were casting their eyes over it with a view to introducing it to Mr Chainsaw.

"The tree has probably had the death sentence for about 10 years," he said. "Community protest saved it last time, but government are responding to current community requests for its removal."

Cr Newman said he was unhappy at this new turn of events and outlined three basic options for the tree's future.   "Either we introduce it to Mr Chainsaw, move it or put up with it until that junction is changed," he said, alluding to council plans to put a roundabout at the current Y-intersection.

Cr Newman also said Caloundra City Council would happily donate the tree to any individual or community group that could come up with the funds to move the tree, although he cautioned it wouldn't be an easy task and would likely cost $40,000.

"That sum is certainly not in my budget for the township," he said.    "Whoever wants it has to pick it up, but it seems we have some wealthy people moving to town and perhaps one of them would like a piece of living history."    "Someone may even want to donate it back to council to be replanted on public land."

But in the absence of a wealthy saviour it would seem that patience would be the best of the three options should the majority of the community want to save the tree.    That way it could eventually be amalgamated into the planned roundabout for the site and also complement plans by Education Queensland to construct bus bays for the school.    "This tree could be a part of the new design for the road," Cr Newman said.    "I think it is part of the entrance to the town and shouldn't be lost if it can be re-designed into a roundabout system then the problem will be resolved."

Should anybody wish to discuss the matter further Cr Newman can be reached via chambers on 5420 8961 or via e-mail at d.newman@caloundra.qld. gov.a

Cr Newman in the shade of the beloved, but endangered fig tree.

Last Updated ( Monday, 04 September 2006 )

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