TWO foxtail palm trees have caused a stir on land overlooking the water in Victoria Point.
Gary and Lisa Bylund moved into their home earlier this year and decided to beautify their verge. The area is on a popular walking route and boasts a bench for walkers to rest and enjoy the view.
"The area was unmaintained so I leveled the ground, planted grass and made a flower bed and planted two foxtail palms behind the bench," Mr Bylund said.
However a few days later the couple received a visit from a council officers, which Mr Bylund said was to be the first of many.
According to a council spokesperson the garden bed had been installed without a landscaping approval first being lodged with Redland City Council.
"Council has a process that allows residents to maintain verges under certain circumstances provided they receive approval and use approved plant species that won't disrupt views or cause safety concerns," she said.
After council officers met with the Bylunds, an application for a landscaping permit was completed at the end of July.
However it was the palm trees that were an issue.
"Council officers told me trees over park seats are not allowed, foxtails are not native to Australia and no trees were allowed on a footpath," Mr Bylund said.
According to the Bylunds, passerbys have complimented them on the garden as it is a marked difference to what it was before they started maintaining the verge.
"We are frustrated and feel we have been targeted. The trees are not impeding anyone's view and we take care of the maintenance of the palms," Ms Bylund said.
Last week, the foxtail palms were removed.
"Council came out and removed them and have fined us almost $700," she said.
A council spokesperson said an application was approved for the garden bed, which can now stay.
"But council advised the applicant to remove the foxtail palms as they were not an approved species due to ongoing maintenance issues," she said.
