If a tree falls…

Greens South Sydney councillor Amanda Lennon is doing what Greenies do -¦ she’s trying to save a tree.

The tree in question is a mighty Sydney bluegum on the northern side of Taylor Square. At a meeting last week, a majority of South Sydney councillors voted in favour of axing the tree as part of plans to redevelop Taylor Square (the plans include provisions for the planting of other trees). However, a rescind motion moved by councillors Lennon, Shayne Mallard and John Fowler has prevented any action being taken on the bluegum until the next meeting of Council, scheduled for this Wednesday.

Lennon said this stay of execution is an opportunity for concerned community members to lobby councillors on the issue, particularly Democrat councillor Peter Furness, whose support Lennon sees as crucial.

We need his support, Lennon said. We want him to vote in the way that he said he would vote, which is for the environment.

Although the age of the tree is a matter of some dispute (some say it’s 30, others claim it’s 70), Lennon said it was the only Sydney bluegum left in the area.

This is a beautiful object in the public domain that contributes a lot of oxygen to the environment, and it’s a reminder of the native habitat that was here. she said.