Dean Furner luckily had a lucky escape when a tree fell on his carport and vehicle where he lives at the Home for the Aged on Macintyre Street during a violent storm on February 18.
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Wild weather tore the tree from the ground before it fell onto his home. On Wednesday, Mr Furner fronted Inverell Shire Council’s general meeting with fellow Macintyre Street residents Val Lederhose and Ivy Campbell.
Ms Lederhose called on council to “severely prune” the “massive” Chinese Elm trees growing on the footpaths and in the yards of the residents “before a bad accident or injury to anyone occurs”.
Council’s civil engineer Justin Paye visited the residents on Tuesday to inspect the trees.
“The majority of tenants do not usually complain, but this matter has got out of hand,” Ms Lederhose said in her address.
The Times understands the residents circulated a petition among the units of the Home for the Aged complex to support their case.
Inverell Mayor Paul Harmon said council had jurisdiction over the trees on the footpath, but that council would need more information about the trees growing on the residents’ land.
“It has got so out of hand that it is dangerous everywhere,” Ms Lederhose said.
After her address, she described the state of some of the Chinese Elms on her land.
“These trees are massive, massive, massive and they are dangerous,” she said.
“I basically said what we needed to say and the civil engineer was over there this morning. He saw the state of the trees and how big they are.
“In my back yard, I have a tree, and there is a tree next door. All they do is shade the carports and the sheds, and they are big Chines Elms and those two meet and overlap.”
“That is why we ended up doing what we did and sending it to the mayor with 19 photos.”
Transcript: Val Lederhose in public forum, Inverell Shire Council meeting April 26
Val Lederhose: I understand I have three minutes, is that right?
Mayor Paul Harmon: That is correct.
Val Lederhose: I am a tenant in the homes for the aged, which I sent you something about. It understood that council owns these units, I am not sure, I don't know. There is a committee of volunteers who maintain them.
The trees around and in the yards of the units are massive and dangerous. They badly need a severe pruning before a bad accident or injury to anyone occurs.
Two trees join together and hang over one clothes line. I am sure none of you gentlemen would allow your wife or your mother to have to put up with that.
We are all elderly and past being able to remove branches ourselves. We have been trying for ages to have something done.
The majority of tenants do not usually complain, but this matter has got out of hand. It is requested that the council intervene in this matter to have the trees attended to. Justin Paye was over this morning and saw how the situation is with all the trees.
Thank you.
Mayor Paul Harmon: Thank you very much. I know Mr Paye has been over to investigate that this morning.
Val Lederhose: And he was horrified.
Mayor Paul Harmon: I know that there are a number on the council footpath, which council, you know, we have some jurisdiction over there. Obviously the ones in the grounds at the homes for the aged, we will need to find out some more information.
There will be some more information coming through to the councillors, and we will keep you informed as to where things are up to.
Val Lederhose: It has got so out of hand that it is dangerous everywhere. Thank you.
Mayor Paul Harmon: Thank you very much.