Disgruntled Rutherford resident Simon Kowacz has taken aim at a Maitland City Council policy that permitted the felling of what he claims was a healthy 200-year-old fig tree.
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Mr Kowacz was devastated when he saw private contractors arriving at 45 to 47 Aberglasslyn Road, at 7am on February 16 to remove the tree.
He said work continued throughout the day, finishing at 5pm, followed by additional work during the same hours on Sunday.
"I estimate the tree to be at least 200-years-old, if not 200 plus," he said.
"This fig was not diseased, it was quite healthy."
At Mr Kowacz's urging, the Mercury contacted council regarding the tree's removal.
A council spokesperson said approval was not required "for the removal of trees in R1 zone, which this property falls under".
Is this respecting our heritage or is it destroying our heritage?
- Simon Kowacz, resident
For Mr Kowacz, this only highlights "flaws" within the tree preservation policy when a tree of that size and history can disappear without fanfare.
He was also left wondering why the owners contracted workers to complete the removal on the weekend, when weekday work would have been cheaper.
"Council has a tree preservation policy that in this instance has no power to influence, or be adhered to, on land zoned as residential," he said.
"If this tree was growing on a [similar] block of land in Morpeth, I'm positive no one would be bold enough to fell that tree.
"Council's allowance to have trees such as this, on land zoned residential, to be felled indicates council's tree preservation policy is flawed and powerless.
"It gives a green light to all to fell any obstacle such as a tree to further their development interests."
Mr Kowacz insisted he was not aligned with any political party, or normally concerned about the welfare of trees.
"If it was only 10, 15, or 20-years-old, it would be a different story," he said, adding the tree was likely there before Europeans first came to Maitland.
"It was a beautiful tree.
"Is this respecting our heritage or is it destroying our heritage?
"This tree is now reduced to an ugly stump and an eyesore where once stood a beautiful, healthy tree."
Council approved the demolition of two pre-existing buildings on the site in September last year, but has not received a development application for further development on the land.