General News
16 June, 2026
Tree chop kickstarts crusades
THE removal of the Freshwater raintree has prompted local community groups to work together on various campaigns and take potential legal action to protect Cairns’ natural heritage.
Toogood Community Heritage spokeswoman Holly Ward said the loss of the tree had become a turning point for many residents.
“The Freshwater raintree was, for many years, a symbol of Cairns – of a home to return to and of the extraordinary natural heritage that makes this city unique,” Ms Ward said.
She said community concern had grown into organised action.
“What has happened is heartbreaking, but it has also galvanised people,” she said.
“Community groups are now talking seriously about how we organise, how we campaign and how we protect our local natural heritage through every lawful avenue available to us, including legal action if necessary.”
The renewed focus follows the work of Janine Hall, who successfully campaigned to protect the Redlynch Valley and is now assisting local groups with legal information (See page 5).
Toogood Community Heritage is particularly concerned about the future of the Toogood Road fig tree and the former aged care centre beside it.
