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.
He said he could stay in the tree for a further month.
"Well, I am going to be staying up here, it is just whether I can keep the platform,'' he said earlier.
"(If not) I will just sit on the branches like I was to start off with, with the blood pooling in my legs."
Council chief executive Ian Cowie has previously explained Mr Pennicuik had breached council bylaws by building a structure in the tree without approval.
The council claims the tree, and 20 others on Hume Road, are dangerous due to falling branches.
Mr Pennicuik says he has proven the tree is not a hazard through an assessment carried out by arborist.
"It's a good tree," he said.
"It's a good tree," he said.
"It's not my favourite, but it's a good tree and it's outside my house."
as posted here
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