There were violent scenes in Newcastle today as police and protestors clashed over the removal of 14 figs from Laman Street in the inner city.
It follows a two-year fight over the fate of the trees.
Earlier, protestors climbed the figs and chained themselves to poles, in an effort to stop the trees being removed.
Six people were arrested.
NBN reporter, Tyson Cottrill was there.
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there were violent scenes ?????
sry, but if you watch international press the “scenes” In newcastle today were not “violent”, I was there……..
people protested. government governed…..
When the local, State and federal government start directing law enforcment officers to shoot civilians or they call the “Army” in, then I’ll maybe believe that there are violent protests happening in Newcastle.
What happened today was that a vocal minority stood up for what they believe in ( good on them) and lost..
No-one was shot, killed etc. and anyone who was hurt…. put themselves in harms way because they believed in their cause.
Good on them, I respect that…. but its a bit rich claiming that because they chose to protest and make the desisions that they did, that its anyone elses fault but their own.
There were violent scenes in Ncle the night of the Star hotel riot…not today..
Ive lived around Lake Macquarie for 5 + years. Taking family and friends from interstate into Newcastle their are not too many places that are scenic or even attractive!. The beaches are fantastic and eatery districts such as darby st and beaumont st are awesome. Laman St in itself was/is a fantastic spot and for the life of me cant understand how the process of chopping the trees down is going to do any good? To my knowledge nobody has been injured by the trees or by falling branches. Life itself is a risk and to chop down something that is as recognisable as the Laman St figs is a real shame. Bogey Hole is being restructured after a tragedy their, Millions were spent on the Newcastle Baths upgrade, so i dont see why an action plan couldnt be put in place for the figs?? A very sad day for Newcastle.
Never mind, the Silvertails of Newcastle will now get their art gallery upgrade, so they can pose in the social pages with their obligatry glasses of mozelle………….wankers !!
Nick its is because 7 members of the newcastle council are absolute liars and know that the trees are safe they just tell the people they are unsafe just to get the chance to knock them down for there own benefit! and they also like to waste millions of dollars on shit
There was no violence at the Darby St entrance and the council chipper truck, staffed by two women, was turned away twice by people who simply sat down in defiance.
The police treated grandmother Carrie, locked on to a pole between two figs, with civility, even giving her water.
The diversity of support from concerned individuals is astounding. The goodwill and generosity of the people from all echelons Newcastle evident from the barrister who will represent those arrested totally free to the retired lady on a disability pension who went home and filled a tupperware container with a dozen still warm boiled eggs and sandwichs and brought them for the community.
It was clear people never believed the day would actually come for this desecration of one of our treasured places.
Someone is looking forward to a better view, a ‘priceless’ fig uninhibited view to the harbour. The timber itself would have significant value to someone, particularly those connected in some way to those contracted to remove them. Keep voting as you always have, Newcastle, and you’ll get more of the same from the same people. Change your vote, Newcastle, and look forward instead to more of the same from the same people. Perhaps protesting is the only way. Can’t begin to think what Civic Park fountain will look like without the figs…. come to think of it, yes I can, thinking Honeysuckle and the toaster.
The destruction of these trees defies all logic!
10,000 people sign a petition.
The ratepayers want the trees to stay.
The trees survive the Pasha Bulka storm and all weather events since.
Only 7 people decide they must go at an unfunded cost to ratepayers of 1-2 million dollars.
The only conclusion one can logically draw from the above facts is there is a secret corrupt agenda going on and it should be refered to both ICAC and the Minister for local government for investigation.
PETER IRELAND
This is from the Councils Website:
‘Council resolves to remove the 14 Fig Trees as soon as practical under section 88 of the Roads Act 1993 (NSW) because Council is of the opinion that the Fig Trees are likely to cause danger to traffic, property and persons in the use of Laman Street and are a traffic hazard in severe weather events’.
I find it quite amusing when the Figs have seen through and survived the June 2007 storms and The EarthQuake in 1989. The recent weather which was a howler, not one single branch came down!!!! Please explain how many people have been injured by the Figs? Why not put warning signs up and be done with it, let people be responsible for their own actions!
This is just utter madness to chop down the most scenic and beautiful place in Newcastle!
google’ laman st anzac’ & check out the brief you tube video, they are more than just trees! they are a huge part of our social fabric.
How would you idiots feel if one of these branches fell on a 5 yr old and killed them?
GROW UP