Residents watched as a major Chinderah landmark, the white fig in the carpark of the local tavern, was cut down on Monday morning.Efforts had been made over several years to prevent the tree from being removed, with many of the branches from the canopy being pruned last year, amid safety concerns.However, on Monday, the 135-year-old historic tree was finally brought down.Chinderah District Residents Association President, Felicia Cecil, said she had received calls about the tree on Monday.“It was a Chinderah landmark,” Ms Cecil said. “There was a lot of history surrounding that tree.”Long-time resident Kevin Perandis, 75, watched sadly, taking pictures as the tree was removed.“It’s quite sad to see it go – but there’s not much you can do about it when half of it is gone already,” he said as the tree-loppers worked on behind him.“I wouldn’t have known, except someone put it on my facebook page this morning. I used to play in the branches of that tree when I was a kid.”A spokesperson for the Taphouse Group, who own and operate the Chinderah Tavern, said it had to be removed due to a range of defects which are considered extremely hazardous.“This decision has not been made lightly, but community safety concerns and further deterioration of the fig’s health has unfortunately led to this outcome,” the spokesperson said.“After assessing the fig’s health late last year in conjunction with an independent aborist, management agreed to remove part of the fig’s canopy in an attempt to ensure the fig’s longevity and Chinderah Tavern guest and staff safety.
“It was agreed by management and an independent arborist that the fig would undergo bi-annual health assessments. The latest health assessment, undertaken by Marian Hammond in May 2012, cited many critical and non-critical defects were unfortunately still present and the health of the fig was still in decline. The defects included deep internal decay, a vertical split forming in the trunk, dry and wet rot and the presence of pests, including borers.”
The spokesperson said the Taphouse Group had a responsibility to ensure community safety.
“After consultation with Marian, based on the fig’s current state, it was agreed that management are unable to guarantee that the fig will not again experience limb failure,” the spokesperson said.
However, Tweed Mayor Barry Longland said that a phone call on Monday morning was the first he heard of the tree’s removal and he claimed workmen continued on, despite being asked to stop by a Council officer despatched to the scene.
Both Felicia Cecil and Cr Katie Milne believed more could have been done to save the tree.
Ms Cecil said the infestation of cactus and umbrella plants which were in the tree could have been “completely removed last year”.
She said the association had applied for the tree to be heritage listed by the Council in the past, but it had been removed a decade or two ago.
Ms Cecil said she did not blame the Taphouse Group, but rather the Council for not protecting the tree, a view also held by Cr Milne.
“It’s tragic and it’s a disgrace, it’s one of the most unnecessary things I’ve seen happen in this council. I’ve tried to get it heritage listed at least two or three times now,” Cr Milne said.
When this removal issue first came up in September 2010, Council commissioned an independent aborist report that seriously questioned the claims of tree health and their removal option,” she said.
“Council also commissioned an independent heritage study which found conclusive heritage significance.”
She said, even without a heritage listing, there were other options that could have helped save the tree.
“An option was previously identified by Council’s consultants that, if the tree needed support, which only further investigation could verify, it could be easily braced, as occurs in the Brisbane CBD in very high use public areas,” she said.
“Councillors and the Taphouse chose not go down this path, despite the cost estimate of bracing being only $5000-$10,000.
“The significance of the tree was recognised ‘for its place in the history of the first and longest held licence and hotel site on the Tweed River’, according to Council’s heritage study.
“There are dozens, if not hundreds, of community stories of different generations and different cultural experiences with this tree,” Cr Milne said.
