A towering and beloved rain tree that has stood sentinel in a Cairns suburb for eight decades is set to be cut down, with its extensive root system having caused so much damage that the neighbouring house must also be demolished.
A Home Rendered Uninhabitable
The large tree, located on a residential block in Manunda, has been a cherished local landmark for generations. However, its quest for water and stability has led its roots to aggressively invade the foundations and plumbing of the house next door. A detailed engineering assessment commissioned by the Cairns City Council concluded the property at 36 Pease Street is now structurally unsound and unfit for human habitation.
The damage is so severe that the council has issued a formal notice to the homeowners, declaring the dwelling dangerous. This leaves the current owners, who purchased the property in 2021, facing the total loss of their home. Council representatives have confirmed that both the tree and the house will need to be completely removed to address the safety risk.
Council's Difficult Decision
While deeply sympathetic to the homeowners' plight, the Cairns City Council states it has been left with no viable alternative. The primary concern is public safety, with the potential for the compromised structure to collapse. Councillor Terry James, who chairs the Community Health and Safety Committee, expressed the difficulty of the situation.
"It's an absolutely terrible situation for the homeowners," Cr. James said. "We have a duty of care, and the engineering report is very clear. The house is dangerous." The council has emphasised that the tree's removal is a direct consequence of the damage to the property, not a separate action. Attempting to save the tree while demolishing the house was reportedly not feasible due to the intertwined nature of the roots and the foundations.
Roots of the Problem and Resident Anguish
The issue first came to the council's attention in early 2023 when the homeowners lodged a complaint about the tree. Subsequent investigations revealed the shocking extent of the subterranean damage. For the residents, the outcome is a devastating financial and emotional blow. They feel caught in a nightmare, having invested in a family home only to see it condemned by a protected tree on public land.
The case highlights the complex challenges councils face in managing mature urban trees, which provide significant environmental and aesthetic benefits but can sometimes conflict with nearby infrastructure. In Cairns, known for its lush tropical landscape, balancing the preservation of significant trees with property protection is an ongoing issue.
The removal of the iconic rain tree will undoubtedly change the character of the Manunda street, marking the end of an era for the local community. The process for demolishing both the tree and the house is now underway, with the council coordinating the necessary works to resolve the hazardous situation.
