Tree man remains defiant

as posted here

Neighbours have turned on tree man Richard Pennicuik after he refused to end his 95-day bid to save a tree from council tree loppers.

As Mr Pennicuik stood defiant in his tree, he spoke of multiculturalism and youth affairs.

"I am the living man in the living tree," Mr Pennicuik told a crowd that gathered below his tree.

"I believe in the youth of Australia. You have the solution in your hands."

But he was receiving a hostile reaction from neighbours. One neighbour told ABC an overwhelming number of residents wanted the tree removed as it posed a danger.

The neighbour told ABC that a branch from a similar tree had fallen on his daughter's car, causing $1500 damage.

Mr Pennicuik's comments came after he refused a request to climb down from the eucalyptus melliodora and allow tree loppers to remove the tree, which they say is dangerous.

Police and council workers arrived at Mr Pennicuik's Thornlie home about 11am. The area was declared a work zone and reporters were moved away.

A council representative went up to Mr Pennicuik in a cherry picker and urged him to come down. However, he refused.

The council will start legal action in a Perth court as soon as possible. Council officials want to take the matter to court as soon as this afternoon and want the courts to expedite proceedings.

This week, council threatened Mr Pennicuik with a $5000 fine and a $500 penalty for every additional day he spends up the tree.

Mr Pennicuik was first given 15 minutes to consider his options. That 15 minute window was extended as Mr Pennicuik could not hear what the council worker had to say amid the commotion from supporters, neighbours, reporters, police and council workers.

Another tree that Mr Pennicuik fought to protect, located on the same street, has been cut down.

There are reports that a supporter was involved in a physical altercation with a council worker.

The 57-year-old lived in the eucalyptus melliodora since December, refusing council requests to come down. During that time he unsuccessfully attempted to have the tree heritage listed.

The council argues that the tree could be dangerous because of falling limbs.

Yesterday, Mr Pennicuik's lawyer John Hammond advised him to come down from the tree after the council threatened to issue a $5000 fine. The council could further fine Mr Pennicuik $500 for every day he remained up the tree after the $5000 fine was issued.

Mr Pennicuik remained defiant, saying he would only end his protest on his own terms.


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