A WELLINGTON Point family, campaigning to cut down a 45m-high 150-year-old tree in their Beachcrest Road backyard, has been granted their wish.
Mum Jodi Ritchie, who has three primary school children, said she was relieved and delighted Redland City Council agreed to let her cut down the tree and reclaim her backyard after two years of fighting for the right.
She said a lightning strike left a massive cavity in the tree’s trunk, about 10m above the ground, and an arborist report found it infected with white rot and dangerous.
The tree, which can be seen towering above the suburb, was protected under a Vegetation Protection Order taken out by a neighbour in 2008 and could not be felled.
Council voted nine-two to cut down the damaged tree and immediately start working finding a suitable home for an absent osprey and its family.
Councillor Murray Elliott voted against the proposal and so did Cr Paul Bishop who said the buyer of the property knew the tree was protected.
Mrs Ritchie said she had already spoken with council chief executive Bill Lyon about the ospreys and was willing to do all in her power to look after the protected birds.
“It is going to cost a few thousand dollars to get the tree cut down and removed from our yard and we have not yet considered selling the wood,” Mrs Ritchie said.
“We don’t want to see the tree go but experts have said it is dangerous and a risk so we have no choice.”
Wellington Point councillor Wendy Boglary agreed.
“I’m not happy that we voted this way but with the scientific report saying it is dangerous it would be irresponsible for the council not to recommend cutting it down.”
Last year, an independent assessor found the tree’s roots were damaged when work was done to put down plumbing pipes. However, that finding was disputed by a council arborist.
Today’s decision was based on reports from independent arborist Brisbane Tree Services and The Tree Doctor which found 51 per cent of the tree was riddled with white rot.
