A WELLINGTON Point resident says he and his partner are being forced to sleep in the back of their home during severe weather for fear that large trees outside their property could fall and kill them.
Mark Thomas, who lives on Starkey Street, said ongoing concerns about eight mature eucalyptus trees on council land at the front of his home had gone unanswered for years, despite repeated complaints and recent storm damage.
Mr Thomas said the trees, which he estimates are 20 to 30 metres tall, loom directly over his front lounge and bedroom.
“God forbid we get a big storm — we’re going to get killed,” he said.
“Every time there’s severe weather, my partner and I sleep in the back room.
“You’re just waiting for someone to die before anything is done.”
He said the situation was particularly distressing given his partner Louise had recently been discharged from hospital following serious health issues.
“We’re sleeping on the lounge in the back room because we don’t feel safe at the front of the house,” he said.
Mr Thomas said he had raised concerns with Redland City Council multiple times over the past three years, with more frequent complaints in the past 12 months, but felt the issue was being dealt with “behind a keyboard”.
While he acknowledged his local councillor had been responsive, Mr Thomas claimed council officers were prioritising tree protection over resident safety.
“They’ve told me the trees have value, so nothing will be done,” he said.
“I don’t hate trees — I like trees, I like koalas — but eight massive trees in the middle of suburbia, right over a house, is ridiculous.”
Mr Thomas said the trees were classified as protected and he was not permitted to trim them, despite their proximity to his carport and home.
He said he had not seen koalas in the trees, describing them as “sanctuary trees at best”.
During the March cyclone, he said a large branch snapped off, bounced off the roof and damaged garden beds.
He is now seeking the removal of several trees, including two paperbarks council has reportedly classified as pests and at least three of the eucalyptus trees.
The concerns have prompted renewed calls for greater investment in tree management, with Division 1 Councillor Wendy Boglary describing the issue as a citywide challenge.
“Across the City, both mainland and our islands, challenges are increasing regarding our largest economic asset, our environment,” Cr Boglary said.
She said council teams were actively monitoring and managing street trees, including at Starkey Street, where trimming was already scheduled.
Cr Boglary acknowledged the tension between preserving Redlands’ unique environment and responding to residents’ safety concerns, saying long-term planning and resourcing were critical.
“One positive would be to sufficiently resource the department to keep in line with the growth of the city,” she said.
“This would allow for possible increases in maintenance of the higher priority trees.”
She said many trees causing concern were legacy trees tied to older development approvals rather than council plantings.
“Mature trees which are causing concerns are often original trees, not planted by Council, and are part of old development approvals which stated the trees must be kept,” she said.
With budget deliberations approaching, Cr Boglary said councillors should consider whether more funding could be directed toward tree management and environmental services.
A Redland City Council spokesperson said two on-site tree assessments had been carried out at the Starkey Street property, with the most recent completed in September 2025.
Scheduled maintenance this year included dead wood removal and aerial inspections by qualified arborists.
The spokesperson said council used the International Society of Arboriculture’s Tree Risk Assessment Qualification methodology to assess street trees, a standardised process designed to balance public safety with tree protection.
Council said it aimed to retain street trees unless a risk to people or property was identified and encouraged residents to report any concerns for assessment.
