March 19, 2025
A small stand of closely planted eucalypts on the corner of Haly and Albert streets in Kingaroy will be removed and replaced with five “suitable” street trees, after a split vote in the South Burnett Regional Council on Wednesday.
The 12 Eucalyptus globulus – or blue gums – will cost Council an estimated $16,500 to remove and then stump grind, while the replacement trees will cost another $2900 plus on-costs for nurturing by Parks and Garden staff.
The 12 tall trees are what is left on the small piece of public land after a eucalypt fell on January 13 during a wild storm, crushing a house on the corner of the two streets.
The occupants suffered minor injuries during the incident and have since been forced to move.
The owner of the building, who had allegedly previously complained to Council about fallen branches from the street trees, has been left with huge costs for repairs or demolition.
After requests from him to remove the remaining trees, Council staff – including an arborist and a local tree service contractor – assessed the eucalypts and found them to be in good health.
But Council staff conceded that after significant rainfall even healthy trees could fail and fall.
The fate of the trees was discussed at February’s Council meeting, but Councillors voted to delay a decision at that time after a discussion suggested that removing healthy trees could set a precedent where landowners could simply request trees be removed and Council would agree and pay for it.
At Wednesday’s meeting, the debate continued, but this time behind closed doors in the confidential section of the meeting.
When councillors emerged they voted 4-3 to remove the trees and replant the site.
The motion to remove the trees was moved by Cr Danita Potter and seconded by Cr Deb Dennien.
The councillors who voted against it were Deputy Mayor Jane Erkens, Cr Heath Sander and Cr Linda Little.
Cr Erkens said a number of people in Nanango had complained to her of trees about which they were concerned.
“I’m not happy that we’re looking at taking down some trees yet others have been not taken down,” she said.
The councillors then voted unanimously to develop a tree management, maintenance and planning policy to manage Council-controlled trees in future.
The debate over the fate of the Kingaroy blue gums echoed a similar problem which confronted the SBRC in 2023 when the Murgon Business and Development Association sought to have a large hoop pine removed in Macalister Street, Murgon, but residents opposed its removal and experts assessed that it was safe.
- Related article: Elderly Man Injured In Storm
Those GLORIOUS TREES WERE living there long before people chose to build a home at that corner.
Is there not enough land out here in the countryside? Such disregard for nature & the benefits of life-giving trees life in the pursuit of human desires has these avoidable consequences.
When will we LEARN TO RESPECT what God provides for our wellness, and give them space?
I stand with these stunning natural beauties.
I’ll donate to a “go fund me” to enable recompense for owner/tenant. Who else is for that?
After looking back through old photos, we believe the house was actually built there before the trees were planted.
I remember when these trees were planted, they would be 35 to 40 years old.
Beautiful trees, a crying shame to kill them.
If those trees were a natural feature, there would be a case for keeping them. Given that they were purposely planted, presumably by Council, then it is reasonable that they be removed by Council.
They are not appropriate trees to be planted in a residential area, besides a busy footpath, roads and powerlines.
Good to see council has voted in favour of removal.
If the trees were planted by council after the house was built as stated by others, and these are not the type of tree anyone should have near a home, the onus is on the council. Common sense prevailed to remove them, shame on the councillors that voted against it. The council should be liable also for damages to the house.
My house in Darwin had a gum through the bedroom ceiling.
I hope the owner is suing the council for the repairs as well as pain and suffering. Their land, their trees, their responsibility.
Cut the tops off, they’re still grow.
All trees within falling distance of a house or building should be removed and if required be replaced with less intrusive species… for health and safety reasons.