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Court battle over fig tree

The developer of a proposed shopping centre in Carindale is suing Brisbane City Council over its efforts to save what residents call an “iconic fig tree”.

A development application was submitted to the council in December for a shopping centre on 2.1ha of land on the corner of Greendale Way and Scrub Rd.

The development includes a supermarket, specialty shops, office spaces and more than 300 car parking bays.

Brisbane City councilor Adrian Schrinner (Chandler) said council negotiations with the developers broke down after the council requested they investigate protecting the tree and improve pedestrian access from nearby streets.

He said the application lodged an intention to take the council to the Land and Environment Court over the matter.

Local resident Marianne McDermott is battling to save the fig tree, which she says is about 100 years old.

She said the decision to remove the tree had “galvanized the community”, with many keen to see it retained or relocated.

“There is a lot of concern about the future of this tree. It’s an icon,” she said.

Bulimba Creek Coordinator Catchment Committee (B4C) president Wayne Cameron said the situation was typical of the problems faced by the community when suburban greenspace was privately owned.

‘It shows council needs to be more innovative with their negotiation, instead lawyers and barristers are getting money that should be going into compensation for the loss of greenspace.”

Cr Schrinner said residents could still send a submission to the council.

The Melbourne based applicant, John P McPhee and Associates Pty Ltd, failed to respond before publication.

Log on to www.carindaleconnect.com.au

ENDS