Thursday, 21 January 2010

Comments on the Tree Man of Thornlie

as posted here


Richard Pennicuik says he's staying put

THORNLIE tree protester Richard Pennicuik has complied with a council demand to dismantle his treehouse today, but he isn't coming down any time soon.
'Mr Pennicuik, 57, has been staging a lone protest to save a mature gum tree on the verge outside his house for more than a month.
Gosnells Council last week lost patience with the protest and served him with an order to remove the treehouse within seven days.
He has been threatened with prosecution, a $5000 fine and daily penalties of $500 if he refuses to comply with the order.
Mr Pennicuik said he would meet today's 4pm deadline, but would continue to live among the branches.
He met lawyer John Hammond this afternoon to discuss his options.
The treehouse duly was taken down, with Mr Pennicuik telling Nine News he would remain in the tree but would be more exposed to angry passers by.
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Comments on this story

  • SEXY BEAST Posted at 4:06 PM January 20, 2010
    Does this set a precident on all tree houses in Perth? I had one as a child as did alot of my friends. It is every childs right to have his own tree house. I say leave the tree house and platform there.
    Comment 1 of 77
  • Perkie of Perth Posted at 4:27 PM January 20, 2010
    Just ignore him, once there's no attention it'll all go away...
    Comment 2 of 77
  • Tree hugger Posted at 4:27 PM January 20, 2010
    good on ya mate
    Comment 3 of 77
  • Matt of Northbridge, WA Posted at 4:32 PM January 20, 2010
    Good luck to him I hope he keeps going and is successful.
    Comment 4 of 77
  • Tina Posted at 4:34 PM January 20, 2010
    I am a City of Gosnells resident and I am truly disgusted in the City of Gosnells, for allowing this to continue for so long, I feel that they are bullying him and that they should get it sorted as soon as possible. Obviously it means a lot to him, but the city of gosnells just dont care.
    Comment 5 of 77
  • Rick of Perth Posted at 4:42 PM January 20, 2010
    haha i love this guy, Good on ya mate! Stick it up em! (i love how the pics got him up there with a cuppa too)
    Comment 6 of 77
  • Dumbfounded of Perth Posted at 4:44 PM January 20, 2010
    OK.....over a month in a tree.....no end in sight or potential resolution.....everyone thinks you're a crackpot....yeah, you're cleary getting your point across aren't you......
    Comment 7 of 77
  • John of Perth Posted at 4:48 PM January 20, 2010
    Seriously....is there a bigger idiot anywhere in Perth right now? I suggest the tree be cut down and Mr Pennicuik use the wood to build a bridge and get over it.
    Comment 8 of 77
  • What a JOKE of Perth Posted at 4:50 PM January 20, 2010
    I say cut the damn tree down while he's in it, he'll get down pretty darn quick then!!!
    Comment 9 of 77
  • benny of out and about cutting trees down Posted at 4:50 PM January 20, 2010
    cant wait to chop it down
    Comment 10 of 77
  • duanemu of gosnells Posted at 4:51 PM January 20, 2010
    Stick it to the man. Love your work. Stay up there for ever!!!
    Comment 11 of 77
  • perspective of perth Posted at 4:53 PM January 20, 2010
    ALL that work upa tree whilst still on a disablities pension he could start his own gardening service if he wanted work.
    Comment 12 of 77
  • Ray of Madeley Posted at 4:53 PM January 20, 2010
    There is an easy way to make this man to put up or shut up, and this is for the Council to draw up a legal document absolving them of all responsibility for any injury or property damage from this tree and for Mr Pennicuik to take full responsibility using his house as collateral. Just ask him to sign it to see his reaction. Incidentally an aquintance of mine got killed outright by a falling gum tree branch many years ago.
    Comment 13 of 77
  • Michelle of Perth Posted at 4:53 PM January 20, 2010
    It is the council's tree on the council's verge, he doesn't have the right to be there, it's so simple why can't he understand that. If someone went and lived in a tree his private property I'm sure he'd have a problem with it and want them down!
    Comment 14 of 77
  • Oscar of Perth Posted at 5:01 PM January 20, 2010
    I'd forgotten about this idiot. Most people do until the media draw his stupidity back into the spotlight. Make him sign an affidavit that he will take any and all responsibility when this tree does do damage or kill and move onto an important issue.
    Comment 15 of 77
  • trolley hunter of bullsharkville Posted at 5:01 PM January 20, 2010
    good work mate! Keep it up!
    Comment 16 of 77
  • Siobhan of Fremantle Posted at 5:05 PM January 20, 2010
    Good on him for sticking with something he believes in. At least he has the guts to be different from the norm.
    Comment 17 of 77
  • Pdiddy Posted at 5:06 PM January 20, 2010
    If the tree was left there and if the tree fell on his house during a storm, he will be all over the council for not doing something in the first place, now the council is doing something about it and there are people protesting for it to be cut down, these people have no lives and probably all on the dole!
    Comment 18 of 77
  • Greenpeace of WA Posted at 5:13 PM January 20, 2010
    Cut the bloody tree down.
    Comment 19 of 77
  • lisa of perth Posted at 5:14 PM January 20, 2010
    get down u fool..u wont win with the council,the tree will eventually get the chop whether you like it or not.
    Comment 20 of 77
  • Rob of Perth Posted at 5:17 PM January 20, 2010
    A 57 year old who doesn't work and spends most his days playing world of warcraft. This guy is bored, this is exciting for him. He keeps saying it has benifited his health and he's alot fitter since living in his tree. Well my suggestion is climb down, find a job, contribute to your household and maybe you could buy a property in Rolystone with LOTS of Trees.
    Comment 21 of 77
  • Jackie of Perth Posted at 5:17 PM January 20, 2010
    What a legend. Go for it buddy. Cannot believe the negativity from people who fail to see a man standing up to big brother council.
    Comment 22 of 77
  • James Posted at 5:19 PM January 20, 2010
    cut it down already, there are more important things in the world worth fighting for than a single tree.
    Comment 23 of 77
  • The K Man of Osborne Pk Posted at 5:23 PM January 20, 2010
    Another hard days work put in by this fool, while most of the members of society go to work and earn a living we have to endure endless media beat up about this light weight story.
    Comment 24 of 77
  • Kramer of Cannington Posted at 5:23 PM January 20, 2010
    What a nut case - surely he has better things to do with his life - and the media can report on the real news. you arent going to win your battle, so you might as well come down, otherwise the council should cut it down with him in it.
    Comment 25 of 77
  • Cranky Posted at 5:28 PM January 20, 2010
    Tina,I am a resident and rate payer and all for the City of gosnells to.I am also disgusted that they have let this go on so long.They should have chucked him out ages ago and cut the thing down.While it may mean alot to him,my kids mean more to me than his tree and I would be forever peeved off if the council did nothing and it fell on my kids.
    Comment 26 of 77
  • Samara Posted at 5:35 PM January 20, 2010
    Hang in there Richard, ignore the idiot tree haters. I love this area, I love the trees. Stupid Homeswest are currently cutting down cut a mature gum from the property next door, it shaded my house beautifully :( Nothing wrong with it that we could see, straight tree, no dicky branches, no signs of termites. Old tenants have moved out and they're going through with a chain saw removing smaller trees and shrubs too.
    Comment 27 of 77
  • bunyiparthur Posted at 5:37 PM January 20, 2010
    I have gum trees all around my 10 acre property. The person who lived here before me thought it would be a great idea to plant them around the boundary line. Every year several of the trees drop branches and while they pose no threat to my property or family I would never plant them near residential properties. This numbnut has no idea what damage they can cause. Obviously a very self centred person. What happens if he injures himself by falling out, will he try and sue the council?
    Comment 28 of 77
  • Samara Posted at 5:38 PM January 20, 2010
    "Rob of Perth Posted at 5:17 PM Today" that's until the council starts chopping the trees down in Roleystone, then what?
    Comment 29 of 77
  • Robert of Como Posted at 5:40 PM January 20, 2010
    Just ring bark the tree that will settle the matter
    Comment 30 of 77
  • L of COG Posted at 5:45 PM January 20, 2010
    They should take away his disability pension because if he's fit enough to stay up in a tree for more than a month then I'm sure he's fit enough to have a job. Like Rob of Perth said, maybe if he worked he can move to Roleystone where there's plently of trees for him to sit in.
    Comment 31 of 77
  • brian forlonge of tappings blue pill Posted at 5:47 PM January 20, 2010
    come down, go to margaret river where the feral protesters have kombis burried in the ground, tunnels, tree houses, and, etc. don't know what they do for a shower or a dunny run.
    Comment 32 of 77
  • N of Gosnells Posted at 5:53 PM January 20, 2010
    @PDiddy: Totally agree! If it makes them feel better, I have some gum trees in my yard the City of Gosnells can remove. I can't afford it ;)
    Comment 33 of 77
  • monkey Posted at 6:02 PM January 20, 2010
    I can't believe you people. Heaven forbid you ever have a cause you want to stick up for even when the rest of the world is against you. .."there are more important things in the world worth fighting for than a single tree" Well James I hope you're onto them. If not then give the guy a break - at least he's fighting for something. Thank god there are people out there who will take up a cause no matter how small it may seem to everyone else. Keep it up mate. I hope you're successful. :)
    Comment 34 of 77
  • menosheep Posted at 6:03 PM January 20, 2010
    As soon as the council confirmed in writting that they would not have the tree removed until a review in March, he had won has little victory with nearly full community and media support. Now that he has chosen to remain up there for no other reasonable point means he has no CREDIBILITY left. Get down fool, relax until the review in March!
    Comment 35 of 77
  • Rob of Perth Posted at 6:04 PM January 20, 2010
    Get the fire brigade to hose him down.
    Comment 36 of 77
  • Jessica of Perth Posted at 6:19 PM January 20, 2010
    I'm with Ray of Madeley (comment 13). Brilliant idea! If he truly believes that the tree is not a danger he should be willing to put up or shut up.
    Comment 37 of 77
  • Mike of Perth Posted at 6:22 PM January 20, 2010
    Go tree man!!! I hope you get to keep you tree. And a branch lands on a councillor's head.
    Comment 38 of 77
  • Bob the Bobby Posted at 6:31 PM January 20, 2010
    The man is an egotistical narcissist who obviously does not believe in democracy. He has no right to be forcing his own agenda onto the other rate payers in that area.
    Comment 39 of 77
  • ForwardThinker Posted at 6:35 PM January 20, 2010
    Should the tree stay, thanks to this idiot, and heaven-forbid it falls on a car, who do you think is going to get the finger pointed at them? This guy! Sure, tree's are great, but white gum's are dangerous, they drop limbs all the time, and given the sheer size of this monster, it's only a matter of time before something happens. I can only hope that if this tree is saved, one of it's limbs falls on his house so the whole world can have the last laugh, with a great big "I told you so" to top it off.
    Comment 40 of 77
  • Tfromoverthesea Posted at 6:42 PM January 20, 2010
    A Man standing up for what he believes in. Not harming anyone. Leave him be!
    Comment 41 of 77
  • rogue of perth Posted at 6:52 PM January 20, 2010
    id laugh if it fell down with him in it
    Comment 42 of 77
  • Off my tree of Stoneville Posted at 7:10 PM January 20, 2010
    Insurance and litigation is to blame for trees such as these being removed. Council is only protecting themselves from a potential payout, give them a break. I bet Mr Pennicuik would be the first to make a claim if it damaged him or his property. If he falls down after his tree house is gone, Council might see a claim arrive at their office! Get a life Dick Pennicuik!!!
    Comment 43 of 77
  • Jack Posted at 7:16 PM January 20, 2010
    Enough already! I'm sick of this and want to read real news. You've made your point Tree Man, now get down and let the council do their job. Your selfishness places people at risk. What if you get your way and a heavy branch falls on a child? That would be on you, not the council. Stop sooking, grow up and get down.
    Comment 44 of 77
  • Arty of Mandurah Posted at 7:28 PM January 20, 2010
    Bet ya 2 bob the trees gone within 6 months,Come down & Enjoy your life theres far better things to than be a Tarzan
    Comment 45 of 77
  • Slinky Posted at 7:32 PM January 20, 2010
    Cranky, if you want to protect your kids then also have removed from your street any cars, dogs, other kids, and parents, as each of those things cause more injuries to children than falling branches. The tree has been declared sound, the council wanting to cut it down is just a derriere covering exercise, preventitive maintenance would be a much better option, such as pruning unsound branches, trees add to aesthetics and help keep an area cool.
    Comment 46 of 77
  • Johno of Perth cbd Posted at 7:54 PM January 20, 2010
    The real issue here is the continuing replacement by many Australians of our Australian vegetation with introduced species. Much of this is either done or allowed by local governments. We say we love our native animals and birds and then we destroy where they live. Have a look at ThornlieTreeMan youtube site for video shot independently with Richard and his supporters. Long live our trees and well done Richard.
    Comment 47 of 77
  • shell of Kalgoorlie WA Posted at 8:17 PM January 20, 2010
    How long will he stay up there? I can't believe that no law is able to actually make this man get down from the tree. So when he falls out of it, which is more than possible, he will sue the council for allowing him to stay in the tree to start with, lol. So funny, get down point made,you will make no difference to the tree eventually getting knocked down anyway. Because I guarantee the tree will live longer than you even if you decide to end your days there.
    Comment 48 of 77
  • me Posted at 8:19 PM January 20, 2010
    wow - imagine the good he could do if he picked a legitimate cause - he could make a big difference... if only it mattered...
    Comment 49 of 77
  • Delphs, of in her new place, somewhere over the rainbow. Posted at 8:22 PM January 20, 2010
    He must have splinters or be suffering from dry rot. Come on down the price is right, you can sell your story mate.
    Comment 50 of 77
  • Tradies Like Tea&Biscuits of Maylands Posted at 8:38 PM January 20, 2010
    Keep the fight up mate. Don't let the knockers bother you.
    Comment 51 of 77
  • MR ROUNDUP MAN of Bunnings Posted at 9:03 PM January 20, 2010
    Its ok... tonight i will be pouring 1 ltr of PURE ROUNDUP... give it two more weeks and the tree and MR CrackPOT will come down naturally.
    Comment 52 of 77
  • Genius of Perth Posted at 9:17 PM January 20, 2010
    ...errr...why not just plant a new tree somewhere else more safe? Or two for that matter??? 51 comments and no-one has thought of that one - jeez I'm a genius!!
    Comment 53 of 77
  • scott morrison of BRORA,SCOTLAND. Posted at 9:24 PM January 20, 2010
    BLOODY BRONZE ANZAC mate.wishthere were more folks standing by their constitutions and convictions.rights of the individual as opposed to minority.
    Comment 54 of 77
  • me Posted at 9:33 PM January 20, 2010
    the tree will be cut down.....He should just take a picture of it that way it will last longer. bloody idiot. Suprised he cant be given a move on notice for loitering on council property.....
    Comment 55 of 77
  • School Teacher on hols of Shelley Posted at 9:37 PM January 20, 2010
    Is that bloke still up the tree???!!!! WOW- I have been holidaying over east since before Xmas and he was up the tree, I'm heading back to Perth tomorrow and he is still up there!!! Talk about stubborn
    Comment 56 of 77
  • M of Gozzy Posted at 9:43 PM January 20, 2010
    while he is sleeping we should go poisen the tree that way the tree will HAVE to come down.Then what is he gonna do .Find some other tedious venture to make his life more interesting. i agree with MR ROUNDUP MAN of Bunnings.kill the tree and be done with all this.
    Comment 57 of 77
  • brian forlonge of tappings blue pill Posted at 9:43 PM January 20, 2010
    slinky 46. don't doctors give aesthetics before an operation. won't it make the trees sleepy.
    Comment 58 of 77
  • Observer of Melbourne Posted at 9:48 PM January 20, 2010
    Good on you Tree Man. Reading some of these comments make you realise why WA is perceived to be such a redneck state. Let's hope the keyboard heroes aren't indicative of the main populace. There's gum trees lining streets all over Australia, what's so different about Hume Rd? Why didn't the dunderheads in the local council keep them pruned? Struth, talk about bloody obvious!!
    Comment 59 of 77
  • Alex of Perth Posted at 10:12 PM January 20, 2010
    Perth needs trees, what do people want thier streets to look barron with no shade. If you look and the nice suburbs such as Dalkeith, Applecross, Peppermint Grove, Cottesloe ect. They all have lovely streets due to large trees which provides shade, CO2 reduction until cut down or dies, colour and most importantly an enviroment as birds do nest in trees and not on the floor.
    Comment 60 of 77
  • Disgusted of Perth Posted at 10:13 PM January 20, 2010
    I can't believe Gosnells council has let this go on for so long. All because the public servants (that we pay) don't want to lose face. They should hang their heads in shame.
    Comment 61 of 77
  • Rob of Perth Posted at 10:16 PM January 20, 2010
    "Tfromoverthesea" its sure gonna harm somebody if that tree sheds one of its branches and kills someone.
    Comment 62 of 77
  • Teacher of Perth Posted at 10:24 PM January 20, 2010
    Brian Forlonge, comment 58, you obviously didn't progress too far at school, go to the back of the class and learn the difference between anesthetic and aesthetic.
    Comment 63 of 77
  • Puzzled of Perth Posted at 10:32 PM January 20, 2010
    excuse me for asking this but...how does he go to the toilet and does he wash/bathe and who is feeding him? Its all very passionate but a bit strange over a tree...would he not be better to pour his energy into much more important issues in the world...like Haiti quake victims and many other much more important issues?
    Comment 64 of 77
  • Hank of Perth Posted at 10:45 PM January 20, 2010
    Okay this guy is making a statement. Look at the situation from another angle. What would this guy do if the tree did fall down on his house and cause a couple of hundred thousand dollars damage and possibly kill or seriously injure the occupants. One might say sue the council. They put the tree there in the first place. There have been incidents where trees have fallen on houses and cars parked in streets. The Gosnells Council are taking the course of action to remove the trees before an accident occurs, where in a court of law the council could be deemed liable.
    Comment 65 of 77
  • Just Wondering of this town Posted at 10:51 PM January 20, 2010
    A guy who 'apparently' lives on the same street said that snapperhead Pennicuik doesn't sleep in the tree. He has 'supposedly' witnessed him coming down each night?!?! Regardless though, if this man is healthy enough to climb & live in a tree then why is he on a Disability Pension?
    Comment 66 of 77
  • Colonial Earth Man of Perth Posted at 10:53 PM January 20, 2010
    Not so fast 57 of 59. Spraying Roundup while Tree Man is in the canopy could see a class action against the council for exposure to a hazardous compound. The latest research from a French research team reveals that Roundup (Glyphosate) kills human embryonic cells within 24 hours when soaked in a solution weaker than the residue one ingests on fresh produce. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19105591?ordinalpos=1&itool=EntrezSystem2.PEntrez.Pubmed.Pubmed_ResultsPanel.Pubmed_DefaultReportPanel.Pubmed_RVDocSum
    Comment 67 of 77
  • anthony of Perth Posted at 10:54 PM January 20, 2010
    its a shame so many people are against him for being up that tree. Some people actually care enough in life to fight what they believe in though, without being bullied out by lawyers or those who would look on in disgust. His commitment is something most people who dislike him could never understand.
    Comment 68 of 77
  • Rick of Freo Posted at 11:29 PM January 20, 2010
    whatever anybody thinks of the situation his tenacity must be admired!
    Comment 69 of 77
  • Hank of Perth Posted at 11:31 PM January 20, 2010
    Obviously this guy has no respect or thoughtfullness for his loved ones. Saying that he is prepared to die for the tree, and be it on the council's concience if he does. Now making a statement like that indicates the guy is losing it. Mother Nature could possibly take care of the situation. A severe thunderstorm in the area, a bolt of lightning. Problem solved. I doubt if the tree man would be hanging around
    Comment 70 of 77
  • Poida of not up a tree Posted at 11:31 PM January 20, 2010
    If it is the councils tree then they should have the right to do with it what they want. I would suggest they simply ring bark the tree and sit back and relax until the guy comes down. No point sitting in a dead tree.
    Comment 71 of 77
  • Penny & Zeke Posted at 11:36 PM January 20, 2010
    I'm currently in Adelaide just about to bury my twenty year old sister in-law who died from a falling tree branch hitting her car while she was driving passed. I love nature but sometimes we need to say goodbye and let go before another life is lost. Will Richard be responsible if the tree is saved at the cost of public safety? I wonder if he will still be up the tree.
    Comment 72 of 77
  • True Aussie Not a Wimp of Perth Posted at 11:38 PM January 20, 2010
    All the wimps here making negative comments would be the last people I would want next to me in an emergency situation. No wonder they call you Keyboard Heroes. At least this guy is standing up to the bullying tactics of the little hitlers in the council. He is a real Australian. Hang in there mate.
    Comment 73 of 77
  • SAVE THE TREES Posted at 11:40 PM January 20, 2010
    Jack of comment 44 No one is forcing you to READ this story. You choose to click on the link and read it then comment, so obviously your interested in him still. GO TREE MAN!!
    Comment 74 of 77
  • Paul of Perth Posted at 11:50 PM January 20, 2010
    cut the tree down why he is up there...... looks like council property to me..... why dosnt the council give him 20 new trees to plant in the environment some where.
    Comment 75 of 77
  • Stew of perth Posted at 11:51 PM January 20, 2010
    Have they offered a "safe" replacement tree?? They've been "negotiating" haven't they?? And by the way, trees don't kill, well not intentionally And who planted the thing in the first place?. Gosnells council area bunch of losers, so are all the negative commentors. maintain the rage. Stew
    Comment 76 of 77
  • Jay Ar of Bush Bay North Posted at 12:17 AM Today
    Just Wondering of this town No 66...Exactlly, he could be telling real people how to get the dole.
    Comment 77 of 77



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at

1 comment:

  1. Anonymous19 February 2010 at 23:58

    No wonder WA has a redneck reputation. Think, people, what do you value? What makes a place special?
    Why would you GO somewhere? Why would you live somewhere and STAY there? In my job I have driven almost every street of this city and sadly, I find it to be a lacklustre bland place where most streets look like any other. But a significant tree, or group of trees, experienced since childhood is one of the most reassuring things to come home to. (also the other bonuses of trees re climate moderation, aesthetics, habitat etc ). The dig/sell, rape/pillage mentality of people with a lack of cultural connection and environmental respect is a disease in this State. Consider the "hazard" of the tree - is it risky??? better not go for a walk in the bush then! If you really value your life, don't get in a car and drive anywhere - could be fatal, you never know.

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Thankyou for your enquiry. Council meetings are conducted under the provisions of the City of Gosnells Standing Orders Local Law 2003, a co...