The future of Newcastle’s Laman Street figs remains uncertain tonight, after the Land and Environment Court delayed any ruling until tomorrow.
Residents group, The Parks and Playgrounds Movement, spent a full day in court arguing that the trees should be allowed to remain, and claimed arborist reports commissioned by Newcastle Council are flawed.
Councillors have approved removing the 14 trees, believing they are dangerous and could fall over in high winds.
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do Cr’s honestly believeall these 14 figs might fall? Particularly given the wild weather endured to date? or have Cr’s simply been hoodwinked by Senior Council employees wanting to implement their own grand civic precinct plans? just these 14 figs out front of the art gallery, but not the other similarly aged figs up the rd! GO FIGure
How dare NCC claim that a pro in removing the trees is to embrace the seasons. Its spring you pack of enviro vandals. there are at least 2 threatened species present in these trees, as identified by your own reports. Why havnt these sightings been reported to DECC and placed on the wildlife atlas? Is the Threatened Species Unit involved. Just saying repetitively that “it is likely that the species will be able to utilse surrounding figs” is hollow BS. Who is to say these “other” trees dont already support numbers of the species?. & or who is to say that these “other” figs arent located in areas frequented by cats & dogs? Not good enuf especially in the year of biodiversity!
Governments of the day can do what they like.
But the People, have to like what they do.
Elected representatives should reflect the views of their constituents. This has clearly not been the case with the fig trees.
Beware Newcastle, these iconic figs have been a test case, NCC will have a mandate to remove large canopy trees all over the LGA.
They have attracted more visitors to the Art Gallery and Library than they have ever scared away for fear of falling limbs…or …..”tree failure”.
These majestic trees still have by NCC calcualtions at least 10% of their natural life left, and if managed properly from now on ?
These buffoons on Council won’t rest until every last bit of historic beauty is wiped away for the impementation of their “Grand New Vision”. Thousands of these very fig trees grace our parks and streets awaiting their own condemnation.
The “Grand Old Visions” of past Councils don’t rate a second glance from these ill-advised spendthrifts.