Police called as council moves to cut down tree

as posted here

TREE-man Richard Pennicuik says he is ready for a stand-off today with police and loppers.

Mr Pennicuik, 57, told PerthNow police car were converging at the Thornlie site where he has been protesting among the branches since December 7.

“I am being told that the police are here to control traffic while the loppers are here,” he said.

“The police have already turned up, so that’s a sign.”

Mr Pennicuik said he wanted an amicable solution with Gosnells Council.

But he now says he is more determined than ever to maintain his protest in the eucalyptus on the verge of his Hume Road home.

“They have come here to bully an ordinary man in the street who is standing up for his basic constitutional rights,” he said.



“I said yesterday I wanted a peaceful and honourable solution with the council and this does not look like it, does it?

“I am peaceful and honourable but…I am going to stay in the tree and keep out of trouble and not be a bad person.

“I am not coming down.”

The council says the tree poses a danger to property and public from falling limbs and intends to cut it down.

Mr Pennicuik says he has not seen evidence from the council to back this up and wants it to stay.

Mr Pennicuik’s high-profile lawyer John Hammond this week advised him to give up the protest - or face hefty fines for obstruction.

Mr Pennicuik was forced by council to remove a tree-house where he sat and excercised in January.

Subsequent attempts to have a permanent barrier built around the trunk and to have the tree heritage listed have failed.

Council spokesman Bob Figg would not confirm when the approach would be made, but said council officers and tree loppers would soon visit the tree ask Mr Pennicuik to climb down.

Mr Figg said if the tree man refused, the council would start a prosecution that could cost him a $5000 fine and up to $500 for every day he remains in the tree.

Mr Figg said the council would not name the day the loppers would visit the site as they would not be responsible for any ``media circus’’.


as posted here