Residents in Mount Cotton’s Eco Estate have reported concerns following the removal of seven trees within the perimeter of Mount Cotton State School, which have all been razed to the ground.
The chop was authorised by Education Queensland.
However, neighbouring residents say there appears to be anomalies between requirements for residents who have to undergo significant consultation with Redland City Council for tree clearing and requirements for the Education Department.
Resident, Ross Sadler said any person wanting to remove a tree or carry out extensive pruning is required to engage a consultant arborist to prepare a report on the proposed action.
“Various people in the street have been refused permission, even in the case of trees that pose a potential threat to their homes,” Dr Sadler said.
“When it is absolutely necessary to clear trees in the area for the construction of new homes, the owners are forced to hire a professional ecologist to ensure no harm is caused to existing wildlife.
“The Redlands Council itself follows similar protocols, when it comes to dealing with dead trees on council land [and] restricts any action to what is absolutely necessary.”
Dr Sadler said the trees were located on the front of the state school’s property and were not dead or posed any threat to buildings or persons.
“These trees must have provided shade to children during play periods… shade that will not come from unsightly mullock heaps of woodchip,” he said.
“One wonders how Education Queensland reconciles this behaviour with the principles of environmental awareness and conservation, which is part of the school curriculum.
“Several years ago, a number of trees were removed from Council land, on order to create a footpath for the school.”
Dr Sadler said the residents on the street are furious at the disregard for the environment which the street is supposed to represent.
“It will make the task of the Redland Council much harder in trying to police the environmental covenants which apply to the area,” he said.
Dr Sadler is a retired environmental scientist and University academic.
