Tree clearing on sly slammed | Ipswich News | Local News in Ipswich

Some of the cleared trees lie near the construction site of the new Bremer State High School.

David Nielsen

A ROW of trees has been cleared along Warwick Road to make way for an intersection leading to the new Bremer State High School.

The mature pine trees, between the Caltex service station and Deebing Creek Bridge at Churchill, were cleared on Thursday.

State Member for Ipswich Rachel Nolan yesterday confirmed the trees were cleared as part of the school development next to the University of Queensland Ipswich campus.

“Warwick Road is being widened to create more traffic capacity for Bremer High but I'm furious that Main Roads authorised to have these trees cut down without telling the community,” she said.

“I understand it may not have been possible to alter any plans but I think the community deserved to be told what was going on.

“They were really nice trees in a prominent place and I'm really unhappy about it.

“I have asked Main Roads how they're going to revegetate the area when the work is done.”

A nearby resident who wished to remain anonymous said she was “devastated” to see the iconic trees cut down.

“It's one of those sick feelings when you know you can't do anything,” she said.

“I'd say if the residents of Ipswich had of been told beforehand that they were going to be cut down, there would have been a lot of opposition.

“I know they've got to cut down trees for development from time to time, but we're talking dozens of trees here.

“I'd say there's at least 30 pine trees that have been cut down without anyone knowing what's going on.”

Division Eight Councillor Charlie Pisasale said the tree clearing was “unfortunate”.

“I've had more than 10 phone calls about the issue,” he said.

“I believe the intersection will include traffic lights and turning lanes so it will need to be much wider than the two lanes we currently have.

“I can see why the work has been carried out, it's just unfortunate it was done without anyone being told.”

In an ironic twist, more than 150 trees were planted in the wildlife corridor between UQ Ipswich and the new high school yesterday. The planting was held as part of National Tree Day.