04/06/2026
https://www.facebook.com/share/1D52n6mQow/?mibextid=wwXIfr
The Freshwater Raintree Action Group launched legal action late last year after Cairns Regional Council approved the removal of the large tree to make way for a duplex.
However, they were recently forced to abandon the fight, unable to shoulder the risk of legal costs that the developer estimated could run into the millions.
“Every level of government acknowledges the benefit of street trees to communities and our environment, yet none of them are doing a good enough job at protecting them,” said Emma Bacon from Sweltering Cities
“We need to be protecting these hugely valuable pieces of green infrastructure, not cutting them down.”
Dr Thami Croeser from RMIT’s Centre for Urban Research said communities are suffering the effects of long-term nature decline in Australian cities, with the removal of large, mature trees particularly concerning.
Read the full piece on The Point: https://thepoint.com.au/news/260603-destruction-of-historic-raintree-sparks-calls-to-recognise-urban-greenery-as-essential-public-health-measure
