Save the Iconic Fig Tree at Rex Smeal Park, Port Douglas
The issue
SAVE OUR ICONIC FIG TREE AT REX SMEAL PARK, PORT DOUGLAS! 🌳❤️
Urgent Petition to Douglas Shire Council — Stop the Removal and Consider All Alternatives
We, the undersigned residents, community members and supporters of Port Douglas, urgently call on Douglas Shire Council to pause the planned removal of the magnificent mature fig tree at Rex Smeal Park.
This beautiful tree has stood for generations, providing shade, shelter, food and nesting habitat for native wildlife. It is part of the natural beauty, history and identity of Port Douglas.
Once this tree is gone, it is gone forever. No newly planted sapling can replace decades of growth, ecological importance and community connection.
We recognise that public safety is essential, particularly where children are concerned. However, we believe that removing such an important tree should be the absolute last resort, after every reasonable alternative has been properly investigated.
Why Is This Happening So Quickly?
We are deeply concerned about the apparent urgency surrounding this decision and the limited opportunity for community consultation.
Why hasn’t the community been given sufficient time to examine the arborists’ findings, ask questions and express concerns?
Council has indicated that previous assessments recommended retaining the tree, while more recent assessments recommend removal.
What has changed? How serious is the deterioration? What other options have been considered?
We believe the community deserves access to the complete evidence before an irreversible decision is made.
Why Not Move the Playground Instead?
One of our biggest questions is whether relocating the playground has been properly considered.
Why must the tree be removed when relocating the playground, restricting access or redesigning the surrounding area might offer alternatives?
Has council undertaken a detailed comparison of the costs of tree removal versus playground relocation?
Could the playground be moved to a safer location while preserving this magnificent tree?
We understand that relocating playground equipment could involve additional costs. However, financial considerations should be transparent and weighed alongside public safety, environmental protection and the long-term value of mature trees.
We ask council to demonstrate that all reasonable alternatives have been genuinely investigated.
Concerns About Previous Pruning and Fungal Growth
Community members have observed what appears to be fungal growth around areas where the tree was previously pruned.
We are not arborists and cannot determine the cause or significance of this growth. However, we believe these observations deserve proper investigation.
Could previous pruning or maintenance have contributed to the tree’s deterioration?
We request the release of historical maintenance records, pruning reports, earlier arborist assessments and any relevant fungal or structural testing.
An independent arborist should review these findings and assess whether any safe preservation options remain.
Protect the Nesting Birds and Native Wildlife — Queensland Environmental Law
We are particularly concerned about reported current nesting activity by Torresian imperial pigeons, also known as Torres Strait pigeons, and the presence of other native birds using this tree.
These birds play an important ecological role, including dispersing seeds and supporting the regeneration of tropical forests.
This tree is not simply a landscape feature. It is a living habitat.
Queensland’s Nature Conservation Act 1992 and Nature Conservation (Animals) Regulation 2020 provide legal protections for native wildlife and protected animal breeding places.
In particular, section 335 of the Nature Conservation (Animals) Regulation 2020 regulates interference with protected animal breeding places, subject to applicable exemptions and authorisations.
If protected birds are actively nesting in this tree, their breeding places must be properly assessed and the relevant legal requirements followed before any works affecting them proceed.
We therefore request:
An independent ecological assessment of the tree before removal.
Confirmation of whether Torresian imperial pigeons or other protected native birds are currently nesting.
Identification of any occupied nests, eggs or chicks.
Disclosure of any relevant wildlife permits, authorisations or exemptions.
Consideration of delaying works until nesting has concluded, where this can be achieved without compromising public safety.
Publication of the findings of the wildlife assessment.
We ask council to demonstrate that its proposed actions comply with Queensland’s wildlife protection laws.
The birds cannot attend council meetings, write emails or sign petitions. Their habitat deserves consideration too.
What We Are Asking Douglas Shire Council To Do
We respectfully request:
Immediately pause the planned removal of the fig tree while an urgent review is undertaken, with appropriate safety exclusion zones maintained.
Release all arborist reports, including historical assessments, recent findings, photographs, structural investigations and recommendations.
Commission an independent arborist review to establish whether the tree, or any safe portion of it, can be preserved.
Investigate and publish the feasibility and costs of relocating the playground, redesigning the area or establishing permanent safety exclusion zones.
Release the tree’s maintenance and pruning history and investigate the observed fungal growth.
Conduct and publish a wildlife assessment, particularly concerning reported nesting Torresian imperial pigeons and other protected native birds.
Confirm compliance with the Nature Conservation Act 1992 and Nature Conservation (Animals) Regulation 2020, including any applicable requirements concerning protected animal breeding places.
Provide the community with a genuine opportunity to review the evidence, ask questions and express opinions before a final irreversible decision is implemented.
Our Community Deserves Transparency
We are not asking council to disregard public safety or qualified professional advice.
We are asking for transparency, accountability, environmental responsibility and evidence that every reasonable alternative has been considered.
Mature trees are increasingly precious. They provide shade, cool our public spaces, support biodiversity and contribute to the character of our towns.
A tree that has taken generations to grow deserves more than a rushed decision without meaningful public scrutiny.
If removal is genuinely the only safe option, the community deserves to understand why, supported by clear and publicly available evidence.
Until then, we ask Douglas Shire Council to pause, investigate and listen.
This is our community, our environment and our shared natural heritage.
Please sign this petition and help us protect the magnificent fig tree at Rex Smeal Park.
SAVE OUR TREE. PROTECT OUR BIRDS. GIVE OUR COMMUNITY A VOICE! 🌳🕊️❤️
576
The issue
SAVE OUR ICONIC FIG TREE AT REX SMEAL PARK, PORT DOUGLAS! 🌳❤️
Urgent Petition to Douglas Shire Council — Stop the Removal and Consider All Alternatives
We, the undersigned residents, community members and supporters of Port Douglas, urgently call on Douglas Shire Council to pause the planned removal of the magnificent mature fig tree at Rex Smeal Park.
This beautiful tree has stood for generations, providing shade, shelter, food and nesting habitat for native wildlife. It is part of the natural beauty, history and identity of Port Douglas.
Once this tree is gone, it is gone forever. No newly planted sapling can replace decades of growth, ecological importance and community connection.
We recognise that public safety is essential, particularly where children are concerned. However, we believe that removing such an important tree should be the absolute last resort, after every reasonable alternative has been properly investigated.
Why Is This Happening So Quickly?
We are deeply concerned about the apparent urgency surrounding this decision and the limited opportunity for community consultation.
Why hasn’t the community been given sufficient time to examine the arborists’ findings, ask questions and express concerns?
Council has indicated that previous assessments recommended retaining the tree, while more recent assessments recommend removal.
What has changed? How serious is the deterioration? What other options have been considered?
We believe the community deserves access to the complete evidence before an irreversible decision is made.
Why Not Move the Playground Instead?
One of our biggest questions is whether relocating the playground has been properly considered.
Why must the tree be removed when relocating the playground, restricting access or redesigning the surrounding area might offer alternatives?
Has council undertaken a detailed comparison of the costs of tree removal versus playground relocation?
Could the playground be moved to a safer location while preserving this magnificent tree?
We understand that relocating playground equipment could involve additional costs. However, financial considerations should be transparent and weighed alongside public safety, environmental protection and the long-term value of mature trees.
We ask council to demonstrate that all reasonable alternatives have been genuinely investigated.
Concerns About Previous Pruning and Fungal Growth
Community members have observed what appears to be fungal growth around areas where the tree was previously pruned.
We are not arborists and cannot determine the cause or significance of this growth. However, we believe these observations deserve proper investigation.
Could previous pruning or maintenance have contributed to the tree’s deterioration?
We request the release of historical maintenance records, pruning reports, earlier arborist assessments and any relevant fungal or structural testing.
An independent arborist should review these findings and assess whether any safe preservation options remain.
Protect the Nesting Birds and Native Wildlife — Queensland Environmental Law
We are particularly concerned about reported current nesting activity by Torresian imperial pigeons, also known as Torres Strait pigeons, and the presence of other native birds using this tree.
These birds play an important ecological role, including dispersing seeds and supporting the regeneration of tropical forests.
This tree is not simply a landscape feature. It is a living habitat.
Queensland’s Nature Conservation Act 1992 and Nature Conservation (Animals) Regulation 2020 provide legal protections for native wildlife and protected animal breeding places.
In particular, section 335 of the Nature Conservation (Animals) Regulation 2020 regulates interference with protected animal breeding places, subject to applicable exemptions and authorisations.
If protected birds are actively nesting in this tree, their breeding places must be properly assessed and the relevant legal requirements followed before any works affecting them proceed.
We therefore request:
An independent ecological assessment of the tree before removal.
Confirmation of whether Torresian imperial pigeons or other protected native birds are currently nesting.
Identification of any occupied nests, eggs or chicks.
Disclosure of any relevant wildlife permits, authorisations or exemptions.
Consideration of delaying works until nesting has concluded, where this can be achieved without compromising public safety.
Publication of the findings of the wildlife assessment.
We ask council to demonstrate that its proposed actions comply with Queensland’s wildlife protection laws.
The birds cannot attend council meetings, write emails or sign petitions. Their habitat deserves consideration too.
What We Are Asking Douglas Shire Council To Do
We respectfully request:
Immediately pause the planned removal of the fig tree while an urgent review is undertaken, with appropriate safety exclusion zones maintained.
Release all arborist reports, including historical assessments, recent findings, photographs, structural investigations and recommendations.
Commission an independent arborist review to establish whether the tree, or any safe portion of it, can be preserved.
Investigate and publish the feasibility and costs of relocating the playground, redesigning the area or establishing permanent safety exclusion zones.
Release the tree’s maintenance and pruning history and investigate the observed fungal growth.
Conduct and publish a wildlife assessment, particularly concerning reported nesting Torresian imperial pigeons and other protected native birds.
Confirm compliance with the Nature Conservation Act 1992 and Nature Conservation (Animals) Regulation 2020, including any applicable requirements concerning protected animal breeding places.
Provide the community with a genuine opportunity to review the evidence, ask questions and express opinions before a final irreversible decision is implemented.
Our Community Deserves Transparency
We are not asking council to disregard public safety or qualified professional advice.
We are asking for transparency, accountability, environmental responsibility and evidence that every reasonable alternative has been considered.
Mature trees are increasingly precious. They provide shade, cool our public spaces, support biodiversity and contribute to the character of our towns.
A tree that has taken generations to grow deserves more than a rushed decision without meaningful public scrutiny.
If removal is genuinely the only safe option, the community deserves to understand why, supported by clear and publicly available evidence.
Until then, we ask Douglas Shire Council to pause, investigate and listen.
This is our community, our environment and our shared natural heritage.
Please sign this petition and help us protect the magnificent fig tree at Rex Smeal Park.
SAVE OUR TREE. PROTECT OUR BIRDS. GIVE OUR COMMUNITY A VOICE! 🌳🕊️❤️
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Petition created on 17 October 2026