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Aussie homeowner 'frightened' to go into her garden following council's gumtree decision
Gum trees are an iconic feature on suburban streets across Australia. But while they're stunning to look at, a pair of the large native trees has 84-year-old Shirley Handke afraid to go outside.
Shirley, whose home sits next to two 25-metre tall trees in the Adelaide suburb of Clearview, says she's witnessed several branches fall in front of her eyes from the council trees out front.
"I was out there a few times and I just moved when they fell," Shirley told The Advertiser. "If I had been there, they would have killed me." Now she is "frightened" to enjoy her garden because of the danger posed by falling branches.
The issue was reported to Port Adelaide Enfield Council by residents on the street of Melrose Avenue earlier this year, and it's understood an independent evaluation was carried out by two separate arborists. But the report found a low risk of branch failure, and the council refused to remove the trees as it did not meet its removal criteria.
Shirley isn't the only resident to complain about the trees. Neighbour Vikash Patel reported earlier this year he feared for the safety of his children, describing the trees as "dangerous".
In response to the decision not to remove the trees, Councillor Barbara Clayton argued that "even low risk is still a risk".
At an Ordinary Council Meeting in May, Clayton said the arborist report "doesn't give these residents any assurance". She pointed out that the trees would "never" be planted on a verge in accordance with current council policy.
"There is no doubt these trees provide canopy cover, however, removing these dangerous and inappropriate trees and replacing them with a more suitable variety would also contribute to our canopy cover," she argued.
"We should not be exposing our community to risk — because even low risk is still a risk."
Yahoo contacted the council for comment, but did not receive a response by the time of publication. It's understood council actively monitors trees on public land and takes action if deemed unsafe.
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Reports of dangerous trees across the state have seen a "sharp rise" in recent years. Snap Send Solve CEO Danny Gorog told Yahoo News, "People are taking action to prevent dangerous situations before they happen".
In 2024, the council reporting app saw 8,000 tree issues reported for South Australia. So far this year, reports are already at 4,700, with two more months of South Australia's winter storm season still to come.
Every report plays a role in keeping streets, parks, and public spaces safe, he said.
But large trees are increasingly rare in urban environments, and while many are reporting their risks and dangers, others are fighting to save our dwindling tree canopy.
In the Melbourne suburb of Thornbury, local resident Rebecca Hart is working to save two twin sugar gums, estimated to be over a century old.
Meanwhile, in Sydney, Randwick City Council backflipped on a controversial plan to remove a large 80-year-old weeping fig after public backlash.
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