Newcastle police are investigating a scuffle that broke out following a council meeting on the city’s controversial Laman Street figs.
Former councillor Margaret Henry ended up on the ground in the ugly confrontation, which started when protestors tried to stop current councillors leaving the chambers.
The 14 historic trees are again facing the chop, after the council voted against a motion to independently test how safe they are.
It goes to the character of Mr King that he did not return to help Ms.Henry to her feet. He need to show some humanity to rectify his accident.
Brad Luke dismissed the offer of a State arborist because he/she is an “unknown contractor”? Isn’t that the whole point of independent, unbiased judgement? He and Cook, Boyd, Jackson, Sharpe, King and Buman refused the services of an arborist trained in RTA and Heritage assessment???? Are these qualifications exactly what they fear? They could have given the people of Newcastle an unmuddied, definitive, final outcome. They chose, instead, an ego-driven, personal, bitter course. Small minds and no ticker.
What is NCC trying to hide? Why on earth would you not agree to this assessment? It’s good value and gets the community off your back. How bizarre to see a Liberal councillor basically saying that the Liberal Premier is not to be trusted to assist with an honest reliable assessment. The councillors who brought shame on themselves should have shown some real leadership and addressed those gathered in the Town Hall rather than trying to scuttle away. Credit goes to Cr Jackson who did, but as he said, he made a poor decision.
Alas abook, Mike King turned and attempted to see if she was alright but was prevented from doing so due to SOF protesters who were continually verbally and physically abusing him. The fact they he hardly reacted to the taunts is a true credit to him and his character, he was simply trying to leave his work place. SOF should also be showing some humanity and rectify their actions on that night as they were just as bad.
They have given you an unmuddle clear outcome, which is to have the tress removed and replaced. It just isn;t seen by SOF as they are acting like children and throwing tantrums when they don’t receieve what they want.
Grow up people.
How many aborist assessments do you need ??? Newcastle wake up. In the last few years the trees could have been removed and new ones established by now. Get over it and move on!!!!
Well said Jane!
As for how many assessments do we need – we need an independent assessment. The current assessments that the Council is making their decision on have been shown to be severely flawed by a number of internationally accredited experts in both risk assessment and arboriculture. Because of the serious questions of these experts (who the anti-fig councillors have chosen to ignore) the community needs an independent assessment that will analyse all the evidence and provide a (hopefully) unbiased report. But my feeling is these councillors don’t want it because it will prove that they have been wrong, and that it is them (not the community) that have cost the council and the city of Newcastle so much unnecessary expenditure.
Come on, I bet this stunt was organised by Save Our Figs.
They play dirty.
Carrie you’re incorrect.
Save Our Figs has caused the unnecessary expenditure through the continuous stalling tactics as well as the council having to employ security guards and the installation of more security fences.
At the end of the day, Save Our Figs are criminals. Hopefully those charged from the earlier RIOTS have the full extent of the law thrown at them.
RE: my comment about criminals.
They have been caught on video trespassing and attacking Police officers.
hi marcus your name wouln’t happen to be phil
Dear Marcus,
Thank you for your comment. Save our figs are criminals are they. Well then I am a criminal too. But let me remind you that the protestors who saved the Franklin river from being dammed, and those who refused to fight in Vietnam and were jailed were also criminals.
What are criminals?
Can you accept that sometimes people believe strongly enough in saving something to go against the so called laws deemed by a local council.
I do not accept the decision made by council. Does that make me a criminal.?
Is there different classes of criminal.? Those who act in their own best interest, who kill and hurt others…or those who act in terms of their own conscience. I believe these protestors are acting in the second sense.
Please do not always accept everything at face value. But if you do perhaps others have a right to not accept .
From the footage the ferral in the maroon jumper and Paul Carter in the knights jersey (as well as the lady in the black and white dress) should be people of interest for police interviews. It is also clear from the footage that Margaret is rushing to put herself in the way of councillor King, and contributes to her fall.
This behaviour is unacceptable, all the SOFigs involved should be charged for their crimes.
Also note that after directly causing the issue, Paul Carter (the man in the knights Jersey) does not offer help to his fallen comrade. Rather continues to ‘peacock’ and try to instigate a physical confrontation with Cr King.
Shame SOF Shame Shame Shame
One wonders why the SHIM in the maroon did not offer help to ms Henry either? Again prefering to antagonise and try to cause a physical alteration!
Is this what you stand for SOF? I would like to see a public statement as to what SOF leaders think of SHIM’s and Paul Carters and others behaviour.
ironic isnt it, that the whole reason for removing the trees was supposedly public safety & yet we see here where the real hazards lie.
god it about time someone printed these reports? So we can see for ourselves what all the fuss is about! Have the aborists been used by council before and what is their work record? How much were they paid for these assessments? Why are all the assements the same? What are the facts all these articles and no decent reporting…what is going on here really…it certainly seems like the council is behaving irresponsible with the councils money surely closing down the street would have been enough the inordinate amount of money spent on fencings seems ludicrous we dont have that sort of money to spend on such silly things Where is the transparency in all this? Why are the documents being printed online for all to see…. lets post these documents online where other aborists can also give their opinion on this if the opinions expressed in the forum are supported by generally the communnity can make up their own mind…this council has spent too much money for the truth not to come out now I say see it to the end find out where the rot is and do something about it…
god it about time someone printed these reports? So we can see for ourselves what all the fuss is about! Have the aborists been used by council before and what is their work record? How much were they paid for these assessments? Why are all the assements the same? What are the facts all these articles and no decent reporting…what is going on here really…it certainly seems like the council is behaving irresponsible with the councils money surely closing down the street would have been enough the inordinate amount of money spent on fencings seems ludicrous we dont have that sort of money to spend on such silly things Where is the transparency in all this? Why are the documents being printed online for all to see…. lets post these documents online where other aborists can also give their opinion on this if the opinions expressed in the forum are supported by generally the professional communnity then the newcastle can make up their own mind…this council has spent too much money for the truth not to come out now I say see it to the end find out where the rot is and do something about it…for the communities sake a situation like this cant be allowed to happen again such a relief to see the procedural changes have occurred already because of this debacle…