Concern over old gum tree

Residents near Tenalga Ave, Ettalong Beach, have growing concern over an old gum tree on the road reserve whose branches recently damaged a sheet steel fence.

"Many of the branches are quite large and sway dangerously whenever there is a strong wind," resident Mr David White said.

"Hundreds of school children regularly walk under the tree when they go to play netball on the Lemon Grove Reserve courts.

"People also park their cars under the tree," he said.

Mr White contacted Gosford Council to do something about the tree in September last year.

Council inspected the tree and concluded that it was low risk.

Only deadwood was to be removed.

Over the past six months, residents report that no tree works have been done by Council.

Mr White said that recently a "huge branch, not deadwood" came crashing down and damaged the sheet steel fence of an adjacent property.

"It's fortunate the branch didn't fall when people were walking under the tree.

"Someone could have been seriously injured or even killed," Mr White said.

Council was again advised about the tree.

"They now intend to prune deadwood and overhanging branches at some time over the next six months, subject to available resources or higher priority works taking place," he said.

"You would think that Council would give priority to public tree works when there is a risk of a branch crashing down and injuring someone," he said.

"If the tree had been properly assessed in the first place and the necessary tree works carried out, Council would not now be looking at a possible compensation claim for damage to a ratepayer's fence.

"It is to be hoped that no more branches come down over the next six months."

Gosford Council has recently decided to review its tree inspection procedure following a lawsuit against another NSW Council.

Shoalhaven Council was found to be liable for man's death, after a tree fell on a house after inspectors declared trees on the property safe.

Alison Branley, April 30