The Laman Street Figs have been given yet another reprieve.
Late last night Newcastle Lord Mayor John Tate issued council’s acting General Manager with a motion to recommit the matter to council.
The move means work to remove the trees, which was scheduled for this morning, will be postponed until the next full council meeting when the issue will again be debated.
Mr Tate said he was concerned that the proper processes had not been followed prior to the order to remove the trees being issued.
He was also concerned that two councillors were unable to vote on the decision which was passed by just one vote.
The matter will again go before council on September 6.
how can those wanting tree removal on the grounds of “its costing us too much alread”y justify their argument? The tree removal is reportedly going to be $1.3.to 1.7 million. a proper INDEPENDENT assessment would be approx $20,ooo max with half being met by Save our Figs. If those big egos in NCC would just enact on the mediation process & get the independent assesment, this could be sorted once & for all. I suspect NCC’s Beanstalk gang are worried that any independent assessment would indicate COOKed books acCORDINGLY!
So many parts of Newcastle look so depressing and derelict due to lack of interest from the council. NCC time and money would be better spent on trying to correct the broken areas of Newcastle and leave what is beautiful and not broken alone.
I have my fingers crossed that the grand fig trees in Laman street will be saved yet. I used to feel elated going to the Art gallery or the library to see such a magnificent avenue of trees – though the effect has been muted lately by the ugly fences that seem to be growing daily themselves.
A big congratulations to the Save the Fig group who have worked so hard to try and keep these iconic trees alive and as Julie Allan says to retain some of what is left of our inner city beauty
Let’s not forget that the council staff are the ones spending the money and making the decisions. The opponents are simply asking for a proper process. If we decide to retain the trees, our city will save up to $1.7 million. The trees are no more dangerous or safe than thousands of other trees in the city. Time for this to end, bring down the fences.
Come on NCC, how can you justify spending so much of your ratepayers money on removing these beautiful trees when there are many other areas of Newcastle looking so derelict from your lack of funds!!
I totally agree with Louise, These Figs represent life and create such a beautiful scene within Newcastle. I am sure that money could be spent elsewhere on parts of the city that really need it. They pose no threat than any other tree that is in the city. So disappointing Newcastle council.
There are so many other areas of this city that need attention and beautifcation.
Leave these majestic trees in peace for the community to enjoy.
What is the hurry?
Why are these half dozen councillors in such an awful rush to “get this done”?
Where is the proof that these trees, in particular, are “dangerous”?
Where are the submitted and approved plans for the trees replacement?
Where are they getting the funding from?
When would work start on beautifying the street again after devastating it?
The next week?
Or, more likely, years later – after the damage to the environment and ruination of the inner city’s image/atmosphere has been well and truly done?
How can this be considered without these and many many more questions having been answered?
Who voted for these councillors and are they really representing their constituents?
The trees should stay.. they have not shed a branch during recent storms, so leave them alone. Get on with things that are important and stop trying to push your own private agendas. A thing of beauty is a treasure for ever.
why should the people that don’t live or work in the area effected by the Fig trees have to pay for their removal for instance the people of Waratah, Kotara, Adamstown and wallsend etc. What is going to happen to Fig trees on the side of busier roads for example the high level bridge at Islington, Figs near the international sports center and the Figs along Donald street Hamilton will rate payers have to pay billions for out of area tree choppers to come into our city and chop down our trees.
if NCC are worried about the traffic safety, remove the cars! make (covered? ) slightly elevated paths for wheeled units, ie bikes. prams ,wheel chairs etc? and grass & mulch the rest of the st up. what a wonderful transition between the park & the civic buildings, embracing the existing sense of place & memorials.
why are these 14 trees being assessed as a group? shouldnt each be assessed individually? For eg the trees nearest the pedestrain crossing surely would have a different “risk ” rating outcome, than another elsewhwere. Surely the size & root & branch structures would also have an impact? i just dont get NCC systems. nor obviously do alot of other people.
Yes. Bring down the farcical fences and the far-fetched (totally implausible) signage that we, the people sadly, have paid for. They should never have gone up.
We were not asked if we wanted any of this. Isn’t our council supposed to represent us, not themselves? Who called for a new plaza, at the cost of our trees and park, and a whole lot of money?
And under what sneaky pretext? This is just irrational fear mongering. But what a hoax. Anyone can see the fences are not only not adding safety but much worse; in fact the fences and their supports are dangerous, ugly and making the council look ridiculous.
Cook and his cohorts should stand around there awhile and listen to what people (not ‘activists,’ just people are saying. Almost everyone is laughing at the council, even children. Our lord mayor knows this because he has his ear to the ground.
Certain councilors should be made to sit on the library steps for one day. Then they will know how very wrong they are.
Security guards at the laman st figs said “yeah, they’re coming down tomorrow.” I really hope they are just talkl.