You Can’t Cut Down Our Mango Trees

Learning that eleven mature, heritage mango trees on Anzac Ave will be cut down, if a proposed eighty-five allotment development proceeds on Anzac Ave without amendment, has galvanized the Mango Hill Progress Association to mount an immediate campaign.

These eleven trees are a healthy section of the seven hundred metre length of the eastern carriageway of the longest Memorial Avenue in Queensland. They are listed on the Queensland Heritage Register and give Mango Hill its name and identity.

For reasons unknown, the Mango Hill Progress Association was not advised by the authorities that these trees were highlighted for removal in a development application submitted to the council in late 2016.

They are now under serious threat if the State Government Minister of Environment and Heritage Protection (LeeAnne Enoch) and Transport and Main Roads Minister (Mark Bailey), do not step in to prevent Moreton Bay Regional Council from approving the current application without amendment. The loss of these trees would not only break the hearts of the local Mango Hill community, but also destroy the confidence of all Queenslanders that the remainder of the one hundred and thirty two trees in Mango Hill are safe, nor in fact, any heritage listed site in Queensland.

A well-attended meeting of the Progress Association on 20th of June, heard Steven Miles, MP for Murrumba, advise residents that the development process was under suspension whilst his Office was seeking a solution. Mr Miles further stated that he would welcome participation by the Progress Association in future discussions. The Progress Association has accepted this invitation.

Whilst this may be positive news for residents, it is no guarantee of success and the Progress Association will continue its campaign and keep the community informed. As stated by Secretary, Mark Kelly, “It beggars belief that they [the planners] sic would consider that the Mango Hill Community would be OK with this!” It will not be OK.

Written by Laurence Christie, President of the Mango Hill Progress Association.