Tree man Richard Pennicuik looks for deal to end saga, save tree | Perth Now

AS POSTED HERE ---> Tree man Richard Pennicuik looks for deal to end saga, save tree | Perth Now
PERTH’S tree man has put a compromise deal to the City of Gosnells and Premier Colin Barnett in an effort to end the four-month-saga.

Richard Pennicuik’s lawyer John Hammond will today send a letter to the City and the Premier outlining the deal.

Mr Pennicuik has demanded that:

* An independent arborist be appointed to assess the state of the tree.

* In the event that the independent arborist concludes that any limbs of the tree are dangerous the City proceed to remove the limbs of the tree regarded as dangerous.

* The costs of the arborist are met by the City.

* The parties abide the arborist’s report.

* The City desist from any litigation whatsoever against him in relation to his occupancy of the tree.

* In the event that the City has commenced proceedings against Mr Pennicuik, the proceedings are discontinued with no order as to costs.

Mr Pennicuik, 57, has been camped in a tree on the verge outside his Hume Rd in Thornlie since December 7.

The council says the tree poses danger to property and the public and must be cut down.

Mr Hammond said that if the offer was accepted, Mr Pennicuik would immediately descend from the tree outside his home.

But the City today gave little hope of a resolution.

City of Gosnells chief executive officer Ian Cowie said the council would discuss the issue if Mr Pennicuik came down from the tree.

``The constant adding of new pre-conditions by the protestor does not help move the process forward,’’ he said.

``If he wishes to discuss the issue he needs to come down from the tree immediately, as he has been advised to do by his lawyer, his neighbours, the City and the Premier.

``Anyone witnessing the behaviour of the protestor’s supporters on Friday will appreciate negotiations at the tree would be impossible, as the City has said all along.

``The City has a copy of an existing independent arborist’s report commissioned by the protestor or his supporters, which sets out a series of recommendations if the tree were to remain.

``The City estimates the cost of these works to ratepayers would be around $4,000 per tree initially and a total of around $10,000 per tree over a four year period. The City will not inflict these costs on ratepayers.

``The current legal process will continue in regards to the latest structure placed in the tree and in the case of obstruction. These processes will only be reviewed if the protestor leaves the tree.

``Any other people taking up the protest will be subject to the same legal action.’’