A WELLINGTON Point family will have to wait for the findings of a sixth assessment into the health of a 45m Cook Island pine tree in their back yard before they can apply to cut it down.
Redland City Council consented to paying for a further two reports at its meeting on Wednesday after an independent arborist found a 3m split in the tree’s trunk, 26m from the ground.
If the next round of council reports find the tree is healthy and safe, no action will be taken.
However, if reports find the tree’s root system was compromised or a cavity in its trunk dangerous and the tree could not be saved, the VPO would be lifted.
The owners of the 150-year-old tree, the Ritchie family, say it is a hazard and want to get rid of it but can’t because of a 2008 protection order.
Division 6 councillor Julie Talty pushed for the protective order, known as a VPO, to be revoked but only the mayor Karen Williams and Division 9’s Paul Gleeson supported her.
Council chief executive Bill Lyon said a comprehensive report should be conducted on the tree so a definitive decision on its future could be made.
It was decided council would pay for all maintenance costs while the VPO was still on the tree.
Owner Jodie Ritchie said she was happy council was willing to investigate the tree to ensure it is safe for her family and neighbours.
“I can’t believe that after all the time and money the council spent on four reports that it failed to find a 3m cavity filled with a bee’s nest,” Mrs Ritchie said.
The tree's owner Jodi Ritchie said when she and husband Scott bought the property in April 2013, they were told the block had sewer connections and there was a protection order on the tree.
“When we bought the property last year, we were told there was a sewerage connection but there wasn’t and when the council installed that connection, it damaged the tree’s roots.
“I have had an independent arborist study say the tree was not healthy and I am concerned its branches will fall on one of my children or anybody in the back yard or on my house.”