Community
26 December, 2024
Fears for fig tree’s future
A LARGE weeping fig tree fronting St John’s Anglican Church in Minnie St is at the centre of a dispute between the church, local environmentalists and the council over whether the “significant tree” should be removed.
In a development application to Cairns Regional Council lodged in October, St John’s Church rector Reverend Jeffery Coop sought permission to have the tree removed as its “invasive root system” was damaging infrastructure.
But Cairns and Far Northern Environment Centre (CAFNEC)’s Tree Action Group (TAG) say it is providing vital shade, habitat and aesthetic importance within the heritage site.
An accompanying arborist’s report with the development application by David Calder Advanced Vegetation Management supported the removal, and noted the tree had no cultural or historical connection to the site, had low habitat value, a “moderate landscape contribution”, was never intentionally planted and attracted “disrespectful” behaviour.
“The shade provided by the tree, combined with a conveniently placed seating-height wall, attracts people to sit beneath it. Unfortunately, those who exhibit disrespectful behaviour to passers-by, also leave behind their rubbish and alcohol containers,” the arborist’s report said.
However, TAG said the “beautiful, 50-year-old shade tree” … was “just doing its job of providing shade for passers-by”.
TAG inspected the site and found the tree was healthy, but the roots had caused a low concrete wall to tilt towards the footpath.
“The simple solution is to maintain the tree, construct a walkover for the tree’s roots and replace the wall with a picket fence which would return the church area to its historical form,” TAG spokesman Paul Matthews said.
“We have offered to take care of it, it just needs some TLC.”
In its submission to the council, TAG said the environmental impact of removing the tree would be loss of shade and habitat for birds, insects, plants and animals, and would increase urban heat in the vicinity by about 5-7 desgrees.
It noted there was currently no visible root hazards, no evidence that the fig was causing any structural damage to the car park or adjacent building and that 3m deep root barriers could be an effective solution.
Mr Matthews said CAFNEC had met Mr Coop on Tuesday and were looking at adding new shade plantings along the street to “take the pressure off” the St John’s fig as a resting place for passers-by.
Mr Coop confirmed this week that the council had now asked for more information on the damage the tree was causing and the design intentions for the site should the tree be removed.
He said the tree was causing significant damage due to its extensive and invasive roots system below ground.
“It’s caused tens of thousands of dollars in damage to our water, sewerage and stormwater systems,” he said.
“It’s lifted the Heritage Hotel driveway by 10cm and there are significant roots surrounding the hotel pool. There is even damage on the corner of Lake and Minnie streets 50m away.”
Mr Coop said photographs of the church grounds in 1978 showed no fig tree, and it was evident it had grown from either bat or bird droppings. The church had considered cutting it down a number of times in the past, as had the hotel, but miscommunication on approvals had stopped action.
“I hope to work with the council and CAFNEC to replace the tree and work together to green and improve the precinct,” he said.
CAFNEC community organiser Monique Jeffs said the tree represented a much bigger issue in the city.
“There is a concerning trend of unjustifiable tree removals all across the Cairns Regional Council area that is removing shade and canopy cover at an increasing pace,” she said.
Cr Rob Pyne was unavailable for comment but earlier this week had confirmed he would like to see the tree remain.
Mr Matthews was unsucessful in stopping a fig tree at Freshwater being chopped by the council in August, but Cr Brett Moller (Div.1 ) has been able to save a fig tree outside Gordonvale Hospital.
In the meantime CAFNEC and residents are campaiging to stop a developer from razing three fig trees at White Rock.
