Council responds after scary detail spotted on tree at Aussie children’s park
Parents in Freshwater on Sydney's Northern Beaches say this badly rotting palm near a children's play area could 'drop on someone's head' at any moment.
A major east coast council will remove a badly rotting tree from a children's park after Yahoo News reported multiple parents were concerned it at any moment could "fall on someone's head".
Residents of Freshwater, on Sydney's Northern Beaches, recently were treated to a brand-new children's play area at the reserve directly behind the beach. While the new equipment has been well received, some people this week said there's a huge palm nearby that could soon pose a genuine threat.
"Nothing to whinge about the new Freshwater playground, but who do we whinge to at council to prevent this rotten palm tree landing on someone’s head?" a concerned mum asked over the weekend.
People quickly flocked to respond, many worrying about the tree's proximity to the children's area, which is merely metres away. "Holy CRAP! Seriously? That's due to DROP [at] any time! Someone's family will be SUING. This is a joke, council, get off your butts," a woman hit out.
"Yeah, that's worth whinging about," wrote a man. "That needs reporting," echoed another.
Speaking to Yahoo News Australia, a spokeswoman for the Northern Beaches Council confirmed on Tuesday the tree in question will be removed and replaced with two new palms. "This will take place this week sometime," they told Yahoo.
The spokesperson explained there is fungus prevalent in the soil at the reserve, which adversely affects palms. She said council conducts regular inspections to identify and remove palms impacted as required.
Sick trees and their potential safety risks are a common issue for local councils in NSW.
Sydney man's quest to remove tree from yard
Back in August, a concerned homeowner was worried a sick gum tree in his backyard might "fall onto someone and kill them" — but because it's technically located half on his property and half on council-owned land, the two parties are locked in a battle over who's responsible for it.
Sydney man Billy, from Mortdale in the city's south, said the very large gum in the corner of his yard regularly drops branches and is apparently suffering from a fungal infection.
He said, despite its age and height, to keep himself and pedestrians walking by safe, it should be removed.
But because it's quite literally grown onto half of his property and half onto the public footpath, council said, Billy claimed, that he will "be held responsible" for any "infrastructure damage" from having it cut down. He said he was told he may also be liable should any part of it fall on someone.
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