To the Newcastle community

On 19 July 2011, Newcastle’s elected Council resolved to remove and replace 14 Hill’s figs in Laman Street “as soon as practical” because they “are likely to cause danger to traffic, property and persons in the use of Laman Street and are a traffic hazard in severe weather events.”

In all Council activities, safety is the number one priority.

Council has already obtained four independent assessments by expert arborists on the Laman Street figs and they all come to the same conclusion – the trees pose a significant risk to public safety.

Council, as a public body, is proud of its openness and transparency in this matter. All relevant information (except where privileged) has been put before the Councillors and the community. The vast majority of this is available on our website.

Council has undertaken substantial investigation and analysis using both internal and external experts in arboriculture, engineering and other relevant professions. These experts have based their opinions on detailed knowledge of the site, evidence-based investigations and readily available relevant literature.

Council is very comfortable with the conclusions drawn from those reports and the decision by the majority of the democratically elected Council to remove and replace the trees.

Due to the huge body of evidence supporting the safety risk, Council’s insurer Statewide Mutual will no longer cover the figs and no other insurer worldwide will provide cover.

It is worth noting that over the past seven years, nine fig trees in the Civic and Cultural Precinct have failed due to poorly developed root systems. One of these trees landed on the childcare facility in Darby Street. Further, over the past 10 years, 35 Hill’s figs out of 135 in the inner city have failed or been removed as a foreseeable risk.

I want to make it clear there is no ulterior motive to remove the trees and suggestions to the contrary are completely unfounded. Council will replant figs in Laman Street and already has replacement trees ready to go. These trees are now four metres high and will be planted in specially constructed vaults to avoid the root problems that have plagued the existing figs.

Council’s actions in Laman Street do not herald the wholesale removal of street trees across the city. Council undertakes a very detailed and rigorous assessment of its public trees and risk is assessed on a site-specific, case-by-case basis.

On Friday 7 October, work to remove the figs commenced but was soon brought to a stop due to significant unrest that impacted on the safety of contractors, staff, councillors and community members.

Work to remove and replace the trees will recommence soon. I acknowledge not everyone is happy with this outcome. However, I am seeking the community’s understanding in this matter and ask people to recognise that the individuals involved in the removal of the trees are doing their jobs.

I would urge anyone planning to demonstrate against this decision to do so in a respectful and lawful manner to assist Council ensure the safety of all involved.

Phil Pearce

General Manager, The City of Newcastle