Council will start work this week on removing a limited number of coconut palms from Bargara, in the interest of public safety.
On 22 September Council resolved that it would need to remove a small number of coastal coconut palms which exceed 20 metres in height. Most of these are in close proximity to popular pathways and even a children's playground. Health & Environment Portfolio Spokesperson Councillor Mary Wilkinson said safety must come first.
"These palms don't live for ever and have now become a real threat to the safety of residents, visitors
and Council staff. Council's duty of care must remain as its priority" Cr Wilkinson said.
Division 5 Councillor Greg Barnes agreed. "Apart from the obvious danger from falling coconuts, the taller palms also pose a risk to those who are responsible for maintaining them as even a slight breeze can result in significant movement of the trunks which are extremely flexible. This movement is exacerbated at the top or ‘business end' of the palm. Whilst ‘cherry pickers' can be used to access palms up to a height of about 20 metres, anything over this requires the use of large cranes which naturally increases the risk to anyone hanging off the crane's working platform" Cr Barnes said. Council has been advised that these palms have a finite life and as they approach their end, the bases start to rot, the tops fall off and the trunks are more susceptible to breaking in high winds. Seven advanced trees have already been planted, to replace the coconut palms, and are progressing well" Cr Wilkinson said. Whilst there are only a few trees to be removed, it will still be a shame to lose them, however the vast
majority will remain to grace the foreshore for years to come" Cr Barnes said.
25.11.09
