Tree’s fate in balance Arborist to assess health of old paperbark
Court told man with jemmy bar lashed out
AN independent arborist will be hired by Cairns Regional Council to assess whether a giant paperbark on Palm Cove’s waterfront needs to be chopped down immediately.
The council has provided evidence that the large melaleuca on the corner of French St and Williams Esplanade is diseased, following public backlash over its plans to remove the tree were revealed late last week.
The massive tree, which local businesses claim has become a botanical tourist attraction, is estimated to be about 400 years’ old.
Division 9 Councillor Brett Olds said the council had spent more than $50,000 over the past 15 years trying to extend the life of the paperbark.
This included sonic tomography analysis conducted last year that showed the amount of decayed wood inside the tree was about 75 per cent.
However, Cr Olds said it appeared the tree was infected with a terminal fungal disease.
“It’s past its end date,” he said.
“If it’s dead, dying or it’s going to cause possible destruction to humans or infrastructure, unfortunately, sometimes, there’s a circle of life.
“There’s a whole song about it in The Lion King.”
The council had initially planned to alert the public to the safety risk posed by the paperbark on Tuesday, however claims local business owners leaked the news to social media late last week, causing panic among northern beaches residents.
Cr Olds said the tree had not been cordoned off, as the 60m area required for exclusion fencing would restrict access to French St and local businesses.
However he said to appease everyone, the council would contract an independent arborist to assess when the tree would need to be cut down.
“If we didn’t do something with the information we have, and it fell down and killed someone … we have to do the right thing, for the right reason, every single day of the year,” he said.
A MAN who allegedly armed himself with a metal bar, smashing a door at a Cairns health facility and confronting staff at Centrelink, has been granted bail but ordered to stay away from both places.
Scott James Barrs, 35, was leaving the Alcohol Tobacco and Other Drugs on Aplin St in the CBD on Tuesday morning after a conversation with staff when he allegedly pulled a jemmy bar from his clothing and struck a door.
Police have alleged he then walked to Centrelink next door and confronted staff before security officers arrived and he surrendered the bar.
Mr Barrs’ defence solicitor Alan Watkins said his client had been frustrated because he had applied for a disability pension in November but was still yet to hear a response.
He said the former diesel fitting apprentice had been diagnosed with bipolar.
“He made full and frank admissions (to police),” Mr Watkins said during a bail application for Mr Barrs.
“He also apologised to the persons present at the time.”
Mr Barrs is charged with two counts of going armed to cause fear which Magistrate Terrence Browne described as “serious charges”. He adjourned the case until February 26.