Aussie couple fear they'll be killed by gum tree looming over property
The pair say there's already been a number of close calls, but council believe the tree is healthy.
A worried couple living directly beneath a huge gum tree say they live in fear that one day a branch will come crashing down and kill them.
Queensland couple Rodney and Karen Jackson, from Upper Coomera, worry the mammoth gum that towers over their property will either one day topple completely during storms, or a branch will fall down and smash through their property — something that's already happened twice.
Tree already caused several near misses, couple claim
Karen Jackson, whose family recently endured a Christmas tornado — that tore through the Gold Coast, claiming at least one life and leaving a trail of destruction — says that when she formally asked council that the tree be removed, her request was rejected.
She said her family can recall a long list of near misses involving branches from the giant tree, that had dropped unexpectedly. "We've had gum tree branches through the front room twice now ... [the] first time was actually into the bed, but lucky no one was in it," she told A Current Affair.
"We've had one of our daughter's cars significantly damaged, carports have all been damaged, this roof got a heap of damage."
Council blasts shock act as trees vanish on one of Australia’s most expensive streets
Surprise twist after council spends $400,000 destroying 150-year-old tree
Bird life a factor in failure to remove gum
Rodney claims council wouldn't "remove it cause it had lorikeets in it when they checked it", though, he argued, "he'd not seen [any] in the time I've been here".
"Our room is right at the front of it, if that thing falls anywhere towards the house and we're in there — we aren't coming out of that alive at all," he said.
Having been planted on council land, the Jacksons do not have the right to remove it themselves, meaning they're stuck with it for the time being.
Karen Jackson said after corresponding with the City of Gold Coast Council, she felt that they thought "a habitat tree is more important than human life".
"That's how we feel, that's virtually what they told us," she said.
While the council eventually did cut down some branches that were deemed unsafe, they said its arborist found the tree to be in good health, with "no evidence of branch failure".
Arborist to conduct detailed inspection
"The City engaged an arborist post the Christmas severe weather to inspect the tree and found it to be healthy, and there to be no evidence of branch failure," they said in a statement.
"The City has also requested an independent arborist to conduct a detailed report on the tree.
"If the report provides any recommendations to improve the safety of the tree the City will carry them out as soon as possible. The tree will also be placed on a routine inspection regime to identify and address any potential falling branches."
"It's a dangerous tree, and we've seen what they do when they drop," Rodney said.
"They need to get rid of it," Karen added. "We've got five children, we've got to look after them. They don't want to lose their parents over a tree."
Love Australia's weird and wonderful environment? Get our new newsletter showcasing the week’s best stories.
