GREENIE activists trying to stop trees being cut down to make way for the new light rail have vandalised more than 30 perfectly healthy fig trees near Centennial Park by covering them in paint.

The protesters failed to ­realise the trees they damaged with the toxic paint were never going to be cut down in the first place.

Instead, the Centennial Park Trust now has to decide whether to use high-pressure hoses to clean the trees — a procedure that would further damage them.

The Baird government said the protesters were ­putting the trees at risk by painting the messages.

Last week a group of about 50 protesters, some chained to trees, had to be removed by police to allow construction work to continue.

Along the corridor of the light rail, from Kingsford to Circular Quay, some 180 trees will go.

Transport Minister Andrew Constance condemned the vandals yesterday.

“This is ignorance of the highest order. Whoever has done this stands condemned,” he said.

“The trees damaged were never going to be removed. What’s worse is that this ­action may permanently damage healthy figs.”

Only five of the trees painted “may” be removed as part of the work, Mr ­Constance’s office said.

The trees damaged are in Randwick between the Tibby Cotter Bridge and Lang Rd, and between Lang Rd and Alison Rd.

Some trees have been graffitied “Anzac” in reference to a claim that the figs were planted in memory of Anzac soldiers.

But the government has disproved that, providing a photo from the National Maritime Museum from 1914 showing troops marching through Moore Park on their way to board war ships at ­Circular Quay — down the then-named Randwick Rd (renamed Anzac Parade in 1917) and flanked by already matured figs.

The government says this goes with the established ­belief that the trees date to the 1870s and 1880s.

Construction of Sydney’s $2.1 billion light rail project is set to ramp up this year.

Last week, the government announced that three major new construction areas on George St would soon start.

Construction work between Alfred St and Grosvenor St is due to begin in March, and between Bridge St and Margaret St in April. Construction on George St between Park St and Bathurst St will also begin in April.

The government has warned that the work will disrupt traffic around the CBD.

The rail line will travel from the city past Central Station, the Sydney Cricket Ground and Randwick racecourse through to Randwick and Kingsford.

http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/nsw/greenies-vandalise-healthy-figs-near-c...

The government says this goes with the established ­belief that the trees date to the 1870s and 1880s.


Probably a better reason to not chop them down.

Dnarever wrote on Feb 2^nd, 2016 at 5:31am:


If it's an oil-based paint, it would be highly toxic to trees. Even water-based paint is going to be mildly toxic.

macman wrote on Feb 2^nd, 2016 at 5:50am:


I don't see you crying over the trees chopped down to make way for your house or those that form the frame and trusses.

Armchair_Politician wrote on Feb 2^nd, 2016 at 6:25am:


I doubt they were 150 year old figs ? There may have been no trees where the house was built, none were removed to build my home in fact we planted some.

spray painting trees is an act of high emotions and reveals a chaotic mind.
the greens really are such a party of low consciousness and animalistic behaviour.
i would liken this to a dog or cat spraying its territory.

the greens should be a party of peace and tranquility.
they should be a party of really chilled out , grounded and practical individuals.

these figs have massively deep root systems and thats how a centred, deep thinking, high consciousness individual should be. he should have his own roots going deep deep into the earth. he should be rock solid, confident, strong, centred and highly awake and aware.

the greens are more like a sunflower then a 150 year old fig.
they have shallow roots, they sway which ever way the wind blows, they will be flattened by any adversity, they  have no core, no depth, they are shallow, they are really just a fodder to be ground up and fed to the pigs.
their whole existence is meaningless as there is no basis for it other then a temporary stimulation of the senses

aquascoot wrote on Feb 2^nd, 2016 at 6:52am:



Have you evidence, the spray painters were Australian Greens members?



They could of been conservative voters ... with a conscious.
Ha ha ... even I couldn't keep a straight face over that one !!!

the greens dont spend enough time in nature.
they spend too much time in sterile inner city apartments

horses moved to the city and kept in sterile, inner city stables (say at randwick racecourse) eventually go a bit crazy.

maybe this is what has happened to the greens ,
they need to go on a good bushwalk and reconnect with nature.

SHY looks like she might fall down a cliff face though, she should start off with some tai chi in her local park.