Douglas Council has told residents there’s no alternative other than to cut down four large trees in Warner Street, Port Douglas, because the dying trees will be made more unsafe when new drainage is installed.  

During a meeting between Council officers and residents’ representatives on Thursday, hopes were shattered that the trees might be able to be saved.

Douglas Shire Council issued a media release before the meeting, saying “Council has been cognisant of the value of the street’s rosewood trees and before commencing work, an arborist was commissioned to advise on what measures could be taken to minimise damage during construction.”

But following efforts “including pruning dead wood from some trees to improve their stability and using a narrower kerbing machine to avoid damaging roots in the structural root zone”, the felling will go ahead, starting on Monday.

“Despite these efforts, four of the 27 trees will need to be removed,” the media release continued.  “One tree is out of alignment to the other trees and is much closer to the kerb. 

“Disturbing the structural root system is unavoidable, even with the narrower kerbing machine making it too much of a safety risk to remain.”

Poisoning theory

Resident Rosie Wang told Newsport that during the on-site meeting with Council, they had hoped there was a way to go ahead with the works without affecting the trees.

Three are on the south side of Warner St near the Owen St end, and the fourth is right next to the entrance to Port Douglas Automotive.

Ms Wang said there was a strong theory that the trees had been poisoned “professionally” a few months ago, causing them to now be weaker than most of other trees in the street.

She said there’s no evidence to show who would have done this – but an arborist had analysed the trees and found two chemicals that had been used, are only found mixed together in a product in the USA, and in this country, they have to be bought separately from agricultural suppliers and mixed. 

“Sadly, those tress that will be taken down were poisoned, they’re a bit weaker than the others,” she said.

Council said: “The project team looked at various options to avoid removing the trees but there is simply no viable option which would allow the drainage system to work effectively.”

The drainage project includes the construction of new stormwater drainage and pits, layback and barrier kerb and channel along the southern side of Warner Street.