Community & Business
14 August, 2024
People power saves the Atherton Arboretum
PEOPLE power has secured the future of the Atherton Arboretum following the Queensland Heritage Council’s announcement the site is now heritage listed.
The listing follows the contentious bulldozing of a section of the site in June, after which the Department of Environment, Science and Innovation issued stop-work order.
However, the conditions for the heritage area does not include this cleared section of the property.
Friends of the Atherton Arboretum Association spokesperson Gemma Horner said she was “very, very thrilled” on learning that the arboretum would now be protected.
“It’s hard to put into words,” she said.
“When I was informed, I was jumping up and down, I didn’t know what to do with myself.
“It’s been three years, with a lot of people working behind the scenes, keeping the issue in the media, getting politicians on board,” Gemma said, acknowledging the power of a determined community.
However, the association was disappointed with the decision to exclude the bulldozed section of the site and that no replanting by the owners would be required.
It is estimated that 26% of the 539 species in the arboretum were destroyed in the June action, according to research.
“We want to offer our help in restoring the section of the property, and work with the owners,” Gemma said.
The arboretum, on 47-67 Maunds Road, Atherton, was established over 50 years with native, remote and rare trees, which have been the subject of research and study for decades.
The beloved landmark was sold by the CSIRO to private owners in 2022, after efforts to get state or federal buy-back were unsuccessful.
Gemma said the Friends Association was formed in September 2021 to protect the arboretum from potential development, when it learned of CSIRO’s planned departure.
This week’s victory had not come without community division and challenges.
“Initially, TRC supported the idea of a listing, but then retracted its support because it would ‘constrain development’,” Gemma said, noting Crs Maree Baade and Con Spanos continued to personally back them.
Property owner Savannah Seven director Dorothy Prince said she had also voiced concerns about the impact the listing would have on neighbouring properties.
“Under Section 15(2) of the Planning regulation 2017 in the Heritage Act, properties within 75 metres of a heritage area go under the same rules,” she said.
“That involves 40 houses from Kelly Street, Tardent Street and across the road on Grove Street.
“No one informed them, there were no letters, no signage put up. The 16 houses I informed did write letters of objection.”
As for the Heritage listing itself, Ms Prince said she had no comment to make.
