Thank you Mr. Chair. Every so often the stars align, and with a little bit of good old-fashioned intent and co-operation, you can achieve a great outcome for your local community.
That occurred last week when I was advised that a century old tree at Moggill with cultural significance had been officially saved after Council worked with the applicant, Mr. Bruce Lockwood to ensure it was preserved as part of his new housing project.
The significance of this tree was first brought to my attention last year by someone well known to many in the Chamber, Judy Magub, the former Councillor for Toowong who is now President of the Kenmore and District Historical Society.
I met with Judy and a delegation of concerned local residents onsite where Mr. Lockwood was proposing to subdivide a block of land at 82 Weekes Road into six housing blocks.
As the original plan stood, the tree was marked for removal to make way for the service road into the new estate.
Judy provided me with irrefutable evidence that it was an Aboriginal birthing tree and that a family camped at the site between 1927 and 1966. Historians believe the last Aboriginal child born in the district was under this tree.
I did not want to see this important piece of local history lost to development, so I wrote to the Planning Chair requesting Council officers investigate a way to save this tree.
The news has been well received in my community, not only by local environment and historical groups, but the community in general.
I am pleased this important tree will be preserved and remain standing for many years to come, but I want to publicly thank Mr. Lockwood and everyone else who played a part in achieving this outcome. Thank you.