Tree man's protest ends

as posted here

Thornlie's tree man Richard Pennicuik has ended his 110 day protest and climbed down from the 20m-high eucalyptus melliodorain on the front verge of his home.

Mr Pennicuik has been living in the tree outside his Hume Road home since early December, including during Monday's devastating hail storm that swept across Perth and caused more than $200 million damage.

The City of Gosnells wants to remove the tree, claiming it poses a danger.

Mr Pennicuik claimed he won the moral battle before doing a lap around the tree and heading inside his home to have a shower.

He initially released a four paragraph statement, but re-emerged to speak to reporters, saying he felt great.

"The tree weathered the worst storm to hit Perth ever and it's in good condition, it has proven itself," Mr Pennicuik said.

"It is worth it because we have shown the people of Australia they need the constitution, they can't do without it.

"I think I have (proven my point) I think the tree has."

City of Gosnells Mayor Olwen Searle today welcomed the Mr Pennicuik's decision to come down from the tree, but confirmed the council would go ahead with plans to chop it down.

Ms Searle would not give a date for when the tree would come down and said legal action against Mr Pennicuik would be reviewed.

"The city is delighted that residents of Hume Road have their street back after all the disruption they have suffered," Ms Searle said.

"Trees of the same age and species as the one occupied by the protester have suffered 20 catastrophic failures in the past five years."

Mr Pennicuik said people had to "wake up" and see that the State Government was all people had.

He described himself as a normal person and said he was already adjusted to life back on earth.

In his statement, Mr Pennicuik said he had decided to end his constitutional right to occupy and protect his tree on his land from "unconstitutional local governments".

"To cut down this beautiful tree now would be a crime against nature, which Kevin Rudd says he is trying to protect by ripping more taxes off us for global warming," he said.

"We have won the constitutional and moral victory by protecting this tree which has become a symbol of our freedom to rule ourselves by our constitution and not be ruled over by politicians who rule under the guise of serving.

"I hope to gain my strength after spending 106 (sic) days in the tree, a tree that forms part of our wealth in common, this is why Australia is called the Commonwealth."

Frustrated neighbours turned on reporters who flocked to the home.

The council is now taking legal action against Mr Pennicuik. He faces a $5000 fine and penalties of $500 for every day he remains up the tree.


as posted here