This petition has been created to appeal to the appropriate decision makers to hear our voice and protect the fig trees at the proposed Links Drive development.

The fig trees at the proposed Links Drive development are estimated to be over 70 years old. The fig trees are used by native species for hunting (Black Butcherbirds, Kookaburras), and are also a source of food during Spring and Summer for the fig bird. They provide shade and cool the area and stabilise the soil during flooding and wet season.

The residents of White Rock have expressed their concerns at the loss of these trees to urban development and which to present this petition to the decision makers on the matter.

 

 

 

 

Some comments put forward by residents in the White Rock Community Facebook group are as follows:

• Couldn't there be a compromise of retaining the two largest trees and make the central one the focal point of a village square...
• This could have been made into a beautiful park for community...
• It's just greedy, as well as destructive and unnecessary to remove the trees...
• This will be at the detriment of the Cairns Tropical environment we are all used to...
• What happened to saving heritage trees?

 

Local residents responded in the recent "Our Cairns" survey to the question "To what extent do the following activities enhance your liveability/your quality of life in Cairns?" with the most popular response being "Spending time in public parks and natural areas".

 

 

 

 

Removing these trees will increase urban heat temperatures and impact the existence of native species. The fig trees are iconic to the drive into the suburb of White Rock and create privacy for the guests at the nearby golf club.

Developer and urban planners need to start respecting the environment. Ideally, developers and urban planners should be learning to use natural resources such as the fig trees to "beautify" the area, include them in a park design or recreational area for the residents of the proposed housing complex. A small bench under the fig trees and possibly a water feature nearby would create a cooling, peaceful environment for the complex residents to enjoy.