Hi,

Sad day for the Wallsend Fig Trees at Cowper Street, the tree officer said they were dangerous, and Councillors, every one of them, said that they had to go.

The Movement submitted an alternative that would have meant only the one near the Church would go.

We proposed improvements to the Nelson Street corner which Councillors took onboard in a vague sort of way.

Sorry to see Greens Councillor Ian Mackenzie moving that the trees be removed !

The landmark trees have been such a distinctive part of the Wallsend scene for over a hundred years. Its so sad to see them so hurriedly dispatched with out any consideration to the impact of their removal.

Us oldies know how much the old figs have had to put up with in their life.

No sapling will be able to match their character for at least twenty years.

Today, I attended the Newcastle Council inspection and argued a case for retention of the trees and for improvements to the amenity of the area.

I then attended a Green Point Foreshore Reserve board meeting dealing with the controversial Cycle path.

After that I went into the Newcastle City Council and learned that the Mayor had called for the Wallsend Trees to be discussed.

I was allowed to address Council for five Minutes on a motion moved by Ian Mackenzie.

I outlined the Heritage value and that the area was a scenic focal point.

I called for a staged replacement plan

All to no avail.

Sorry folks, I've done all that can be reasonably expected and I would like to thank David Horkan and David Griffin for their leg work and encouragement.

We must demand that Council put more resources into the presentation of the city and protection of our distinctive landscape and historic trees.

DOUG

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Douglas Lithgow
Parks & Playgrounds Movement Inc

www.geocities.com/parksandplaygrounds/
----- Original Message ----- From: DOUGLAS LITHGOW

To: David Horkan

Sent: Monday, February 05, 2001 1:42 PM

Subject: Re: Wallsend Fig Trees.

Dear David thanks for the actions - timely and appropriate.

Will be at Council inspection.

I will put a proposition to Councillors to stage the replacement and propose new improvements to the Community Land.

Close the dead end carpark and turf the area on the area.

Remove and replace the Camphor Laurels that have died back.

Plant new trees in the garden beds to replace the 4 figs at Cowper St perhaps in about five to 10 years time.

Consider the removal of the Fig nearest the Church which has a bit of cement in an old hollow.

Thanks hope you will be there.