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Tree man staying put for Christmas

SARAH QUINTON, The West AustralianDecember 25, 2009, 12:42 pm

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WA News / Ben Crabtree ©

Neighbours gathered around and passers-by honked their car horns as the so called Thornlie Tree Man spends Christmas day up a 30-year-old gumtree, despite the City of Gosnells guaranteeing they will not remove the tree for at least three months.

A letter was hand delivered to Richard Pennicuik on Christmas Eve, who has now spent his 19th day up the tree, stating that the City acted in a spirit of goodwill so Mr Pennicuik could spend Christmas Day with his family.

But Mr Pennicuik said the letter has only further stirred his anger, vowing to remain in the tree until he has a written guarantee that the tree will 'never be cut down'.

"I don't believe anything they (the city) say," he said as the mercury level soared toward 35C today.

"They said they would extend an olive branch to me, but I'm not coming down. If I come down, the tree will be cut down. If I stay, the tree will be saved."

Supporters of Mr Pennicuik have sent Christmas well wishes via a Facebook page, 'Thornlie Tree Man', which boasts nearly 5000 fans.

Mr Pennicuik said the community in the street have lifted his spirits with 35 people expected to share a Christmas lunch which would be passed up to him via a rope.

"I'm glad I'm up the tree doing something truthful," he said.

"I feel a real bond to the tree now and it's drawn all the neighbours together. It's like the old days when everyone looked after each other."

The City of Gosnells extended their offer after receiving a letter from Mr Pennicuik to enter into negotiations via an independent mediator.

"The City has said since day one of the protest that it would be willing to discuss the issues with the protestor when he comes down, but would not conduct negotiations from the base of a tree in a public street," the letter said.

"We believe our offers made in writing and in good faith, provide an opportunity for the resident to spend Christmas with his family."

The City also said it would not forcibly remove Mr Pennicuik from the tree and would be review the issue in March after the three month deadline expires.

Mr Pennicuik said he would also spend New Years Eve in the tree as a symbol of strength to his supporters around the world.

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The City of Gosnells and trees FAQs

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Why does the City want to replace Eucalyptus Melliadora in residential streets?
A number of Eucalyptus Melliadora were planted 40 years ago in residential streets. These are all the same species and age and were maintained in the same way. In recent years a number have shed limbs. As a result Eucalyptus Melliadora in streets are now assessed as being dangerous.
What evidence does the City have that the trees are dangerous?
A limb weighing over one tonne dropped into Hume Road last year, narrowly missing a car. On Sunday 13 December a limb dropped from another of the trees planted at the same time. It was over 12 metres long. At least one of the trees removed from Hume Road showed signs of imminent limb drop. These are just three examples of many incidents that the City has to deal with on an on demand basis.
Have people complained about the trees in Hume Road?
Yes. The City has had complaints about the trees from a number of different properties over a prolonged period of time This is a quote from a resident:

“I have two very beautiful trees on the side of my property which are to be removed this week. Whilst very sad that this trees are being removed it has to be done for safety. My outdoor entertaining area is adjacent to this verge and at least 2 or 3 times over the last 6 years I have heard the tree limbs crack and drop. Once a limb nearly caused a car accident. It was around 10 p.m. on a weeknight and I heard a great “crack” and then the limb fell, the next second a car slammed on its brakes hit the medium strip and keep left sign. This driver was visibly shaken and kept saying “It fell out of nowhere”.

“At least every 2nd year I have needed to contact you to request that you come and collect a fallen limb that I have dragged off the street, these limbs are really heavy and could cause a fatality in my opinion.”

Seventy per cent of Hume Road residents wanted the trees removed in 2004. However, a City assessment found them not to be dangerous at that time and refused to remove them. This decision was only reversed after the limb drop last year and a host of other complaints.

But why replace all the trees?
The trees are all the same species, planted at the same time and maintained in the same way. The evidence is they are all reaching the age where limb drops can occur.
Why can't the City lop or prune the tops of the trees to control them that way?

This is known as topping and is not an accepted method of pruning trees, as it creates large open wounds that increase the chance of pest, disease and fungal attack on the tree. This in turn leads to rot and decay beginning in that branch that can then spread into the main stem causing further weakening of the tree.
Further more the resulting regrowth (Which is known as epicormic growth) can have very weak attachments to the branch,  potentially resulting in further branch  loss as they  get bigger and are buffeted by the strong easterly winds that Gosnells experiences.
But trees are important to the environment and these are native trees.
The City has planted nearly 5500 trees in 2009 and removed just 190. The City only removes trees when they are potentially dangerous or interfering with infrastructure (such as roots growing through pipes for example). More trees will go into Hume Road than are being replaced.
Eucalyptus Melliadora is not native to Western Australia. Nor are these naturally occurring trees – they were planted.

What is the City doing about the resident sitting in a tree?
From the first day the City has offered to discuss the issue when the resident leaves the tree. The City has also guaranteed verbally and in writing that the tree will not be removed either before those discussions or while they take place.
Why won’t the City talk with the resident while he is in the tree?
Because that would not be the right way to have a serious discussion about the issue.
Why doesn’t the City just give the resident the written guarantee he is asking for that the tree will not be removed?
Because it would be wrong to do so. What if a limb fell next week or next month? The tree would then have to go and the City would be seen as having lied. The City is happy to have honest discussions but will not be dishonest in order to end the situation.
What will end the situation?
Only the resident can do that. The City has said all along it will not physically remove the resident from the tree. The City hopes he will come down soon as other residents in Hume Road are suffering major disruption to their lives.
The tree contractors have moved on from Hume Road.
Is the City just being stubborn?
No, the City represents 100,000 residents and its decisions have to be rational and benefit the majority. To leave potentially dangerous trees in place would be irresponsible. The City would rightly be heavily criticised if a limb fell and injured or killed someone.
The protestor has many supporters. Does this concern the City?
The City has received more correspondence from residents in support of its stance than against it. Many residents in other streets have urged the City to replace trees they consider dangerous.
So where to from here?
The City hopes the protest ends soon. The City would ask that all people, whether supporters or opponents of the resident, refrain from creating late night noise around the tree. Other people’s lives are being seriously disrupted by anti-social behaviour in the street from a minority of people.



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Police raid bikie club's Perth headquarter

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Police have raided the Gypsy Jokers bikie club house in Perth's southern suburbs.

More than a dozen officers and detectives from the Organised Crime Squad executed a search warrant at the Maddington clubhouse about lunch time today.

Some club members were inside the premises, assisting police with their inquiries.

The street where the clubhouse is situated was cordoned off.

Police have now left the clubhouse and say no charges have been laid and no property was seized.


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Gum tree stand-off continues

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Gosnells MLA Chris Tallentire has called for the stand-off to be resolved between the Gosnells council and a resident over a gum tree in Hume Road.

Mr Tallentire told Comment News last Wednesday that the two remaining gum trees on Hume Road should be retained unless specific expert evidence can show they were in imminent danger.

Twenty other gum trees along Hume Road were cut down because of their potential to drop heavy limbs.

Hume Road resident Richard Pennicuik and a team of supporters have protected two trees by literally living in them for the past fortnight.

Gosnells council has refused to talk to Mr Pennicuik while he remains in the tree and Mr Pennicuik has refused to come down unless the council talks to him face-to-face and promises the tree outside his home would be retained.

Mr Tallentire said the bizarre stand-off could have been avoided if the council had conducted better, more extensive consultation with residents about the removal of trees on verges. He said consultation was a challenge for all levels of government.

“Local government has got to do a better job of consulting about what people really want,’’ Mr Tallentire said.

“There needs to be good community consultation on what streetscaping should take place... jacarandas may look good in November, but aside from their flowering the benefits are limited.”

City of Gosnells chief executive Ian Cowie said the City believed the Eucalyptus Melliodora trees in Hume Road were dangerous to pedestrians and motorists following limb drops by trees of the same species and age. “In light of its concern about public safety, the City informed residents that the trees would need to be removed,” Mr Cowie said.

“Four residents provided comment to the City when they received this information, including one who specifically objected, who was then given further advice.

“As it has been said since the beginning of this process, the City will discuss the issue further with the resident when he leaves the tree and the tree will not be touched while discussions take place.”

Mr Cowie urged Mr Pennicuik to leave the tree and end what he said was a massive inconvenience to the other residents of Hume Road.

What Do You Think?

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Thornlie Skate Park on track for completion by Christmas

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The first stage of the City of Gosnells Thornlie Civic Precinct Revitalisation Project is due to be completed by Christmas.
Mayor Olwen Searle said the precinct was being redesigned to encourage positive behaviour and give better access to the Skate Park, Leisure World and the Thornlie Library.
“The installation of the skate park’s lighting, additional CCTV cameras, limestone walls and pathways is almost complete – with the shade shelter currently under construction,” Mayor Searle said.
“Renovation of the existing grassed area is also being carried out.”
Mayor Searle said funding was provided by the Commonwealth Attorney General’s department under the ‘Safer Suburbs Plan’.
“Upcoming events at the upgraded Thornlie Skate Park include skateboard and BMX coaching clinics with professional instructors – with skating from 10am to noon on 9 January 2010, and BMX from noon to 2pm on the same day,” she said.
“These clinics are suitable for all ages and skill levels, from seven-years-old and upwards, with participants only needing a helmet, enclosed shoes and a skateboard or BMX bike”.
“There will also be a free skateboard and BMX competition on 16 January 2010 from 11am to 4pm – with helmets, food, drinks and music supplied and great prizes from Folklore Skateboards and Jet Cycles.”
For more information call City of Gosnells Youth Services on 9452 9913.



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Maddington Woolworths Petrol Station Tanker Fire

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Treeman committed to continue vigil

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Thornlie man, Richard Pennicuick said he is only getting stronger and fitter as his one man protest to save a gum tree outside his house entered its 12th day today.

Speaking to thewest.com.au, Mr Pennicuick, 57, said there was no end in sight to his protest and he will continue camping in the tree until the Gosnells Council gave him a commitment in writing that the tree would be saved.

"I am feeling great. I am doing more exercise here on the tree than I would normally do in the house. I can definitely keep on going but for how long I don't know. But it does look like I am going to be spending Christmas in the tree," he said.
Mr Pennicuick took up residency in the tree two Monday's ago in a last ditch effort save the tree outside his house - just one of the last two of 22 Gum trees that once stood on Hume Road.

He said that his protest was gaining momentum and in the past few days has been visited by scores of people who have shown their support.

"A couple flew all the way in from Sydney to hello and in the last few days I have had visitors from India and South Africa who video taped me. There is a huge groundswell of support," he said.

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