General News
11 November, 2026
Concerns over kauri trees
CASSOWARY Coast residents are calling for any kauri trees chopped down at Tully Showgrounds to be replaced with suitable specimens.
The regional council is assessing whether some of the eight trees pose safety risks and must be felled, although in last week's Observer arborist Mark Gough believed they can be saved.
Resident Mark Allpress said council had a poor record of not replacing trees which had been removed.
“How about a program to replace these and other legacy trees across Cassowary Coast region?,” he said in a Facebook post.
“A couple years ago some of the old foreshore trees at Cardwell were chopped down as they were considered unsafe.
“The majestic kauri trees in Memorial Park Innisfail, which I believe were planted in the 1920s, were removed, three mature beach almond trees were removed on the esplanade at Flying Fish Point to provide better access for the rock wall reconstruction. All old magnificent trees removed and not replaced. Where is the program of replacement of these trees (with similar species)?
“Next will be the trees at Etty Bay. How about CCRC having a public place tree replacement policy and program.
“We were promised replacement beach almond trees at Flying Fish Point – only two happened.
“Ensure the Tully trees are replaced with like trees with maybe some extras so in a few years the extras are large and the older/ unsafe trees can be removed yet the original tree scape retained.”
Netty Fielden said many trees in King George Park in Innisfail were removed and not replaced.
“All had name plaques regarding their species,” she said.
Vince Sofia said the Tully kari trees needed to be given a truly independent assessment with the brief being “save or repair” if it was possible to do so.
“That’s all anyone can hope or ask for. I am not suggesting it’s the case here, as I don’t know the back-story, but so many trees get removed under the guise of unhealthy when there were other reasons for the removal,” he said.
“If they are genuinely found to be unsafe and can’t be repaired, community safety needs to come first.”
Chris Hetherington hopes council builds something out of the timber and not just mulch it.
Debra Kerridge said she loved the pines.
“They are an icon of our showground. I hope the assessment is a true one and not based on money-making for a business,” she said.
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