Today, I witnessed yet another heartbreaking removal of native trees — four mature tea trees, gone in an instant.
The photo shows one of these four trees.

The contractors responsible were gone when I stopped to enquire.

The contractors doing ground work relayed that council had an arborist involved, but no wildlife spotter. One worker even scoffed, “Why? They had time to run away.”

These trees had possum nests. I know that for a fact.

Although this clearance was related to a new roundabout, it still reflects the blatant disregard for wildlife we continue to see. Whether it’s road widening, fire preparation, or new developments, the outcome is the same — habitat destroyed, lives lost, and no meaningful accountability.

I was left shaken, intimidated, and once again dismissed by these contractors employed by the shire, the very people who are meant to act with care.

My petition now has over 600 signatures, and yet our council remains bound to a blanket road policy that treats our coastal town like an inner-city suburb. There is no nuance. No empathy. No environmental consideration.

This has to change.

I’ll be including this incident in a formal complaint to council, but I’m also sharing it here because your support is the only thing that keeps me going. Every signature counts. Every share matters.

Please continue to raise your voices with me — for the trees, the birds, the possums, and the countless other lives being lost without a trace.

Sign, share, and speak up. Before it’s too late.