Save The Figs in Newcastle

[hughie]

I fear theres no end of lunacy attached to local councils. Liverpool Council have tried to heritage list some large Camphor Laurel trees, while the species is on the state list of noxious weeds. go figure.

[marker]

Newcastle Council set to brave fig tree blockade - ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation)

[FenceFurniture]

For goodness sakes.
The council was elected to make decisions based on information supplied for the community as a whole.
This debacle has gone on for far too long.
Cut them down, plant new ones (as they had planned to do) and move on people.

I'm not taking sides as both sides have their own agendum. No one is 'winning' here and the whole thing is farcical.

But common sense dictates that a decision has to be made and stop the waste of time money and emotions.

Lyle.

I can't believe you said that. The wastage can be stopped by common sense dictating that the trees are safe, and leave 'em alone.

You aren't taking sides eh? Well what if the council said your house had to be demolished because it was unsafe, and it quite obviously was safe? Would you just lie down like that and say "too hard too fight, knock it down then"? I don't think so!

It's complacent attitudes like this that allow and vindicate the destruction of so many wonderful things because some council kenidiot gets an idea (supposedly) to save money and bugger the heritage because it doesn't mean jack to them anyway.

[wheelinround]

I fear theres no end of lunacy attached to local councils. Liverpool Council have tried to heritage list some large Camphor Laurel trees, while the species is on the state list of noxious weeds. go figure.

Ah incorrect Hughie those trees were already Heritage Listed as was the whole property they stand on. A certain Gov and its cohorts diminished listings without peoples knowledge. NSW has lost many of its Historical buildings, tree's and lots more which were under National heritage gone for ever. Out of sight out of mind.
They tried to demolish Liverpool TAFE the old Heritage listed one.

One such row of cottages in Camperdown area along Parramatta Rd

[wheelinround]

I can't believe you said that. The wastage can be stopped by common sense dictating that the trees are safe, and leave 'em alone.

You aren't taking sides eh? Well what if the council said your house had to be demolished because it was unsafe, and it quite obviously was safe? Would you just lie down like that and say "too hard too fight, knock it down then"? I don't think so!

It's complacent attitudes like this that allow and vindicate the destruction of so many wonderful things because some council kenidiot gets an idea (supposedly) to save money and bugger the heritage because it doesn't mean jack to them anyway.

Point in order is the M4 west where it ends was to go through until it was ex-Premier Bob Carr's home it would take out. Instantly put on the back burner.

Yet this same man has organised demolished so many of NSW Heritage Listed and National Listed objects, homes, buildings, sites. Bunnarong comes to mind where they want to build the new complex at whats now the docks, its al reclaimed land old dumping ground for many years of the begining of the Colony "The Rocks".

[Toymaker Len]

Good link there Marker I hadn't seen that. What I want to know is why the council has refused an independent assessment three times ? Once the insurance company offered to pay, once the friends of the figs offered to pay and now Barry O'Farrell has offered the use of a state arborist to look at the figs. The fig people have said they will abide by the decision of an independent authority but the council have refused. They said they would have an independent assessment if they could go ahead and knock down the figs even if they got a clean bill of health. If the council have such clear information why don't they publish it ? What happened to transparent open government ?

[wheelinround]

A Joke

$1.5million pricetag on figs fiasco - Local News - News - General - Newcastle Herald

[Bushmiller]

It's good to see that the Newcastle council is so cashed up that they can afford to indulge in a fiasco of this magnitude.

In an environment where experts and consultants are engaged at the drop of a hat it seems out of step that the council has refused gratuitous assessments. It looks bad that they appear to have made up their minds and will not consider anything that could threaten their decision.

.

Regards
Paul