Deputy Mayor Wendy Boglary – concerned about vandalism to a koala tree in O’Connell Parade, Wellington Point
Poisoning and hacking attacks on trees in Wellington Point have prompted an appeal by Redland City Council for residents to report any suspicious behaviour.
Attempts have been made poison a large koala habitat tree in O’Connell Parade.
In what appears to be an unrelated act of vandalism, one of Wellington Point’s avenue of colourful ponciana trees has been damaged.
Deputy Mayor and local councillor Wendy Boglary said such attacks on publicly owned trees were an attack on the Redlands lifestyle.
“The natural environment is a key part of the Redlands lifestyle which the community values highly.” she said.
Vandalism to significant koala tree
Canopy of the damaged koala habitat tree in O’Connell Parade
A large eucalyptus tree in O’Connell Parade appears to have had a hatchet or similar weapon taken to the roots. Holes were drilled into the trunk and a chemical substance applied.
Suspicious activity was reported to the Council in July 2017 and the tree is now under close observation.
The tree, estimated to be 60-70 years old, is regarded by the Council as a a high value koala food tree.
The tree’s health appears to have recovered in recent weeks.
Colourful ponciana tree attacked
Wellington Point ‘s poncianas in 2014 Photo: Tiffany Warner for the Redland City Bulletin
One of the ponciana trees in Main Street at Wellington Point has also been attacked. Marks on the tree indicate that it has been hacked at repeatedly.
Deputy Mayor, Wendy Boglary said the tree, situated at 346 Main Road, is over 40 years old and one of the more mature trees in the avenue of poinciana trees along Main Road at Wellington Point.
“People come from far and wide to see Wellington Point in full bloom.” she said.
Previous instances of tree vandalism
Wellington Point and the Geoff Skinner Wetlands Reserve
Earlier attacks on trees in the Wellington Point Area occurred in 2016 when mangroves were destroyed at the Wellington Point Reserve and on King Island.
Tree vandalism has also occurred previously in the Geoff Skinner Wetlands next to O’Connell Parade in Wellington Point.
In this area the Council has erected signs warning against destruction of trees and other vegetation.
In coastal areas trees and other vegetation may be protected under the Fisheries Act which provides for fines of up to 3,000 penalty units (currently $378,000) for actions such as pruning or trimming mangroves.
Redland City Mayor, Karen Williams said the eyes and ears of Redlanders are needed to catch these vandals.
Anyone observing possible tree vandalism can call the Council on 3829 8999 or Crimestoppers on 1800 333 000.
Redlands2030 – 9 February 2018
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3 Comments
Tree vandalism. Who do you report major tree vandalism to when Redland City Council is totally responsible for mutilating green tree cover over a neighbourhood park I resurrected decades ago with help from parks workers? Thirty years on, finally, a couple of new pieces of equipment was placed in what is known as Chantelle Crt Park, off Finucane Rd & Elmhurst St Capalaba where 4 major streets feed into it and welcomed by the local community. However, there was a heavy price to pay as council vandals cut a huge chunk from the canopy (ficus trees) exposing swings and new cube stack suited to small children, to the blazing Qld sun. The sign reading: ‘Enjoy, don’t destroy’ at entry to the park obviously does not apply to RCC vandals. Q’ld is the melanoma and skin cancer capital in the world, yet family health in our local communities goes unheeded. Many elderly lonely residents living alone can’t afford to pay high electricity rates so cool shaded parks are an escape for them during heat of the day so taking away natural shade is a crime in my view. Brisbane City Council playground park equipment is under cover, every piece. Young mums along with grand parents, should be encouraged rather than discouraged from using our local neighbourhood parks, essential to community wellbeing. As in BCC’s neighbourhood parks, there should be exercise equipment for carers as well, in our parks, my elderly friends feel would be great in being able to look after youngsters while at the same time being able to exercise as well. Replacement shade cover over the newly installed equipment in this park should be provided ASAP so parents can take their youngsters to the park any time of the day rather than, at present, after mid-day. Our local representative is unavailable to pursue this action, so who in RCC is able to provide the much needed shade cover?
It’s ironic that RCC is warning vandals about damaging precious trees – eucalyptus and mangroves, among others and yet RCC is pushing as hard as possible to get Walker Corp’s obscene Toondah Harbour development a reality. How is it that mangrove damage can be punished by a $378,000.00 fine, for TRIMMING OR PRUNING, and Walker’s plans call for almost 1 1/2 kilometres of mangroves and coastal vegetation to be totally removed! Let’s not forget the iconic and well-used koala eucalypts that will also be removed as well. Remember there is irrefutable, tracking evidence to document the use of these trees by the Toondah koalas, one of the LAST remaining healthy, breeding populations of koalas left in the Redlands! Do these vegetation laws only apply to non-corporate vandals?
How can we take these laws seriously, given Walker’s development plans? Peter Mitchell, as Councillor for this area, can you please explain?
Thanks to Wendy Boglary and other diligent councillors for investigating the problem of vandals trying to kill iconic koala gums and ponciana trees. We need to conserve the beautiful habitat and wildlife that the Redlands is known for. But of course, the major threat to koala habitat does not come from the odd vandal but from continuous major developments, which indiscriminantly remove large areas of mature gums, which are essential for the survival of our wildlife. We know these developers are giving large donations to certain public servants to pave the way for further development while our major roads and infrastructure are sadly lacking. The latest commercial proposal for 3,600 units at Toondah Harbour, under the guise of tourism and better ferry access, fools no-one and yet certain councillors within RCC are promoting it. This would do irreversible damage to shore-bird habitat and seagrass feeding areas for dugongs and three turtle species so we now need to hold our public servants responsible for any poor decision making. It seems ridiculous that the Council has placed signs warning of “on the spot fines” to any resident who disturbs the sensitive shore-bird feeding zones along the Ramsar Wetlands in the Redlands.