A Sunshine Coast resident has expressed his frustration after trees on a roadside nature strip were removed, and the act was seemingly dismissed by authorities.
Flaxton’s David Barclay was shocked to see that several trees had disappeared from in front of his property, when he returned from a week-long trip in Sydney.
He said he provided video from a security camera of a person cutting them down, along with before and after photographs of the area, to officials.
But it seems no action has been taken.
Mr Barclay, who believed the trees could have been non-native silver birch, said he and his wife were dismayed by their removal.
“At least five substantive trees were cut down from our nature strip and removed, leaving bases with crisscrosses in them, suggesting they had been poisoned,” he said.
“These trees were in front of our hedge and provided us with a landscape that influenced us to buy the property in the first place.
“We feel that the manner in which this destruction, without any approval from ourselves or authorities, has impacted on our privacy and security, and has caused us a great deal of distress and anxiety, as well as impacting negatively on the beauty of our property.”
Mr Barclay said he was frustrated by government inaction, despite his attempts to bring the incident to their attention. He said he contacted police, Sunshine Coast Council and the Department of Transport and Main Roads.
For more local news videos SUBSCRIBE to our YouTube channel. Just click here.
“We are not sure who is responsible for addressing what we believe to be an illegal act,” he said.
“We feel powerless. What this person has done and the way it has been done is certainly morally wrong.
“Worse still, there doesn’t appear to be a government instrumentality that can do anything about the issue.
“Perhaps this is why people give up and don’t pursue these matters.”
“We are devastated and angry, not only at the removal of the trees and the manner in which it was done but also the lack of support and assistance from local and government authorities.
“The incident has left us questioning our choice of Flaxton as our long-term home.”
The road is the responsibility of the Department of Transport and Main Roads.
A TMR spokesperson confirmed trees were cut down without permission but the department would “not be pursuing the matter further”.
“TMR is responsible for maintenance in the road reserve at this location, with safety-related maintenance being prioritised,” they said.
“Planting and removal of trees in state-controlled road reserves require permits.
“We understand trees have been planted and then removed by members of the community, without notifying TMR in both instances.
“TMR will not be pursuing the matter further.”
The Department of Environment, Science and the Department of Resources told SCN they had no comments to add.
