News
29 October, 2025
‘Save our last gum trees’
COMMUNITY voices are ringing out across Mount Mee, calling on the State Government to save two ancient Eucalypt trees slated for removal on Monday, November 3 by Department of Transport and Main Roads (TMR).
TMR told Channel 7 the two century-old gum trees are marked to be cut down as they pose a roadside safety hazard, “contributing to the severity of crashes”. Mount Mee Road (between Woodford and Dayboro) ranked as the third most unroadworthy road in Queensland by RACQ’s 2024 Top 10 Unroadworthy Roads.
Resident Nathan Stoneham said local wildlife, including sugar gliders, black cockatoos, lorikeets, and koalas, rely on these trees for habitat, adding with old-growth forest making up only a tiny fraction of the region’s landscape, their loss would have a lasting impact.
“These trees are at least a hundred years old, and we don’t have many old ones on the mountain at all, so it’s important for us to preserve what we can,” he said.
Mr Stoneham added TMR’s rationale does not make sense and is unsupported by evidence.
“The trees don’t cause the accident, and they don’t keep anyone safer on the road,” he said.
“They’re not blocking any visibility and it’s just really confusing to us why the trees gone would make the road safer.
“There was a fatal motorbike accident at this site in 2023, but the motorcycle rider didn’t hit the trees and the accident was due to loss of control.”
An online petition asking to save the historic trees has already gathered nearly 1,500 signatures, with $1,600 having also been raised so far to help cover costs.
Frustration has grown in the community over the lack of transparency from authorities, with Nathan, along with other advocates, claiming there was no public consultation regarding the tearing down of the trees.
“The community only found out about this two weeks ago through a mail notice about construction,” he said.
“There was no community consultation and a lot of opposition since, but TMR said they will be proceeding with it next week.
“We’ve been requesting a lot of information from TMR, but we’ve been provided with no environmental reports, no safety reports—so we’re getting nothing back, which is making us quite concerned.”
Mr Stoneham said efforts to seek support from local State Member and Minister for Environment, Andrew Powell have also proved frustrating.
“He listened to our concerns, but said it’s not his department,” Mr Stoneham said.
“He said he backs the decision of TMR, even though he hasn’t seen the environmental impact of the proposal.
“I found that to be disappointing from an Environment Minister.”
Mr Powell said he met with more than 20 concerned residents last week, and has committed to sharing their questions with Transport and Main Roads Minister Brent Mickelberg and his Department.
“However, if this project delivers safety improvement, I’ll back the professionals in TMR,” he said.
“Like the RACQ, I’ve been calling for upgrades to fix this dangerous road for more than a decade.”
Mr Powell added him and the State Government are “committed to protecting our amazing natural landscapes”, having last week secured more than 13,000ha across south east Queensland to be enjoyed by wildlife, locals and tourists forever.
TMR did not respond to The Sentinel before print deadline.
