Tree change for townhouse plans

Plans for 42 new townhouses in Margate have been sent back to the developer – because of a tree, far right on picture above.

Residents’ have raised concerns over the potential loss of a large white moreton bay fig tree on the 1.4ha site in Beaconsfield St.

Moreton Bay City Councillors agreed and have asked for “amended site layout drawings to accommodate the retention of the white fig tree”.

It is believed to be 70-80 years old, currently has eight nesting hollows and is described as one of the “few trees of this size and magnitude left on the peninsula”.

Under the development application (DA) the tree would have been removed to make way for town houses, to be built in two stages with a reserve in between.

Feature tree

While only one public submission was made - incorrectly according to council’s agenda notes - residents lobbied councillors and the mayor.

They voiced concerns about the spread and impact of fig tree roots on the proposed new townhouses and site infrastructure.

It was also put the meeting that civil works may cause “root shock” and there was no guarantee the fig tree would survive.

However, there was also a call to make the tree a feature of the development, citing Eatons Hill Hotel as an example.

The amendment, to include plans for the tree, was passed unanimously.