The couple fear the huge gum tree towering over their Upper Coomera property will kill them during the next wild storm – as council rejects their request to have the tree removed
A couple’s request to have a huge gum tree felled has been rejected by the council, despite fears they could be killed if it fell during a storm.
Rodney and Karen Jackson from Upper Coomera, northwest of the Gold Coast, fear the huge tree looming over their home could fall into their bedroom while they sleep.
Branches have already fallen against their house, even during the heavy storms during the Christmas period.
Although the parents of five children are keen to take matters into their own hands, the tree is on council land, meaning they must get permission to cut it down or face prosecution.
But the City of Gold Coast Council has rejected their request because the tree is home to parakeets.
Ms Jackson said the council’s decision left her family feeling “humiliated” and that they were inferior to the birds.
“They’re not going to remove it because there were parakeets in there when they checked it, which I haven’t seen in the time I’ve been here,” Jackson said. A current issue.
“Our room is at the very front, so if that thing falls somewhere towards the house and we’re sitting there, we won’t get out alive.”
The family’s fears have been exacerbated by numerous incidents of branches falling from the tree. They say they are lucky they haven’t been hurt already.
‘We’ve had gum tree branches through the front room twice now… [the] The first time was actually in bed, but luckily no one was in it,” Ms Jackson said.
One of the branches severely damaged the roof and carport of their home and their daughter’s car.
Parents of five, Rodney and Karen Jackson (pictured), fear a huge gum tree looming over their Upper Coomera home could kill them if it fell during a storm
The couple felt ‘humiliated’ after the council rejected their request to have the gum tree (pictured) cut down, arguing that it is the habitat of parakeets.
A City of Gold Coast spokesperson said a council arborist had inspected the gum tree and found “the tree was healthy and there was no evidence of branch defects.”
“The city has also requested an independent arborist to prepare a detailed report on the tree,” the spokesperson said.
‘A copy of that report will be provided to the resident.
“If the report contains recommendations to improve the safety of the tree, the city will implement them as quickly as possible.
‘The tree will also be subject to a routine inspection to identify and address any falling branches.’