TRICK OR TREAT? Spooked by fruit tree plan
Locals fear invasion of bats and ice addicts
A PLAN to plant more than 50 fruit trees in the heart of Murwillumbah is polaring the sleepy northern NSW village with fears it will lure thousands of nearby bats.
One long-time resident even went as far to say the “free food” would be a magnet for drug-addled junkies.
The Tweed Shire Council has backed a European-style trail of citrus and cherry trees in central and South Murwillumbah to enhance the town’s ambience and provide “healthy, free food” for people.
However, protestors say the trees will be less than four kilometres from a 20,000strong bat colony at Riveroak Drive in Bray Park.
“Bats are the biggest issue in the area and I can totally understand any resident having a concern about this,” said Tweed Shire councillor Warren Polglase.
“Personally, I agree with the people who have concerns and while the concept is great, the practicality of it is very difficult.”
Karen Halliday, who came up with the idea to plant the trees, said the species of tree was deliberately selected to minimise the risk.
She said citrus trees, including lemon, lime and devil oranges, and cherry trees would be among those featured.
“By adopting and caring for a tree that others can access, you offer a gift in making our community more inclusive and connected,” she said.
“Not to mention that you’ll bring smiles to the faces of children and adults alike, as they get active walking the trail and sharing the fruit on offer.
Ron McMahon, from Crystal Creek’s The Fruit Tree Man Nursery, will be supplying the fruit trees.
Only a small number of trees will be planted on public land. The rest will be on the fence line of private properties Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2, which wound up with $626 million at current exchange rates and 22 per cent ahead of Doctor Strange. through the two suburbs.
Long-time local James McKenzie said he held concerns the trees would bring “unwanted zombie-like” people into the area.
“I am really concerned this is going to bring the junkies into the area and we are going to have nutters grabbing the free food out of people’s yards,” he said.
“In a perfect world I would love to see such a thing but our world is not perfect and people need to wake up to the possibilities.
“There are good intentions here but the road to hell was paved with them.”