Heritage Tree Puts Residents at Serious Risk in Warragul

A 120 year old heritage listed Bunya Pine Tree in the grounds of the Courthouse Restaurant in Smith Street Warragul is putting people at serious risk as it has begun dropping huge 10 kilo pine cones from a height of up to 20 metres. (90 feet)

Baw Baw Shire Mayor Diane Blackwood said, “These huge pine cones have the capacity to be lethal if they were to fall on someone passing underneath from such a large height.”

“As such, we are asking residents to be vigilant by staying well outside of the barricades that we have placed out on the footpath while we work with the owner and a consultant arborist to reach a quick and satisfactory solution to the problem.”

“While a number of pine cones have already fallen, around 6 large cones remain hanging at a dangerously high level which could do a lot of damage if they were to hit someone passing by.”

“Although the offending tree is not owned by the Council, or on public land, our major concern is public safety which is why we have arranged for a 40 metre high elevated work platform to be in place in Smith Street at 7am on Friday morning to get the offending pine cones.”