Hi, we are a group of concerned community members hoping to prevent the unnecessary removal of the iconic and majestic fig tree at Rex Smeal Park by the Douglas Shire Council.

Of course, community safety is of paramount importance and we are concerned about any safety issues the tree might present especially since it sits over a kids' playground. However, the short timeframe from announcement to the proposed cutting down of the tree has not allowed the community enough time to consider the information relied on to make the decision. That information has not been provided to us.

Community members and visitors from far and wide will have beautiful memories of visiting this tree and basking in its glory. It also provides a home to many native species.

We want to provide you with a quick timeline about how things unfolded:

- on Friday, 16th October 2026, the Council announced the removal of the majestic tree.

- on the weekend, requests for Right to Information were submitted to the Council requesting arborists reports and assessments to understand how the decision was made. This information has not been provided.

- on Monday, 19th October, an ecologist attended the site and reviewed the tree. We were advised the tree would be removed the next day at 7am.

- on Monday night at the eleventh hour (literally at 10.30pm), we sought an urgent injunction with the Supreme Court to stop the removal of the tree.

- on Tuesday morning, 20th October, Her Honour Justice Skennar, opened the registry early at 6am so that we could urgently explain to her the situation. She ordered the Council appear at 11.30am for a directions hearing.

- despite a notice from the Court, the Council's contractors cut parts of the tree. This lasted almost 3 hours until the Court directed them to stop.

We need your help and any donations (big or small) are greatly appreciated. We have already paid $1,700 to file the urgent injunction request.

Update: the tree has been preserved for the moment. A final hearing is listed for 16 November to determine its fate. All funds will go towards any legal fees and associated expenses we will incur. We are grateful for all of the donations so far!

Please help us! Power to the Douglas Shire community!