Decaying Fig tree poses risk to infrastructure and community

A decaying mature Fig tree at Mackay’s Post Office Park will be urgently removed to ensure public safety.

The fig sustained major structural damage from Cyclone Ului and is structurally unsound because 80 per cent of the main trunk is rotten.

Engineering Services director Stuart Holley said the tree is a significant risk to the community and nearby infrastructure.

“There are large structural cracks on a number of the trunks that originate from the main trunk,” he said.

Mr Holley said investigations show the tree is in decline with no sign of regrowth in the rotten area.

“There is no sign of new wood growing to counteract the decaying area and strengthen the main trunk, so it’s vital we remove it for safety reasons,” he said.

Mr Holley said the tree posed a significant risk of collapse.

“It is always disheartening to see the decline of such well established trees and council is always reluctant to remove any trees that contribute significantly to the streetscape due to their size and prominence,” he said.

“But community safety must be paramount in these decisions.”

The affected tree is 10 metres high with canopy spreading 12 metres

Council aborists will remove the tree in the next week, weather permitting.

Council will investigate replacing the tree once design work has been completed for the redevelopment of the park and new pedestrian paths associated with the Forgan Bridge replacement project.

Contact: Ken Furdek

Phone: 1300 MACKAY (1300 622 529)