A DECISION has been made on what to do with the remaining stump of a tree that fell during fierce stormy weather two months ago.
Carving the stump into a sculpture was one of the ideas circling throughout the community, however, Mount Gambier City Council has a different idea.
While council’s operating standing committee previously voted in favour of the public art project, elected members rejected the idea at Tuesday’s monthly meeting.
The 20m high tree, the largest in the Cave Gardens precinct, was split in two during extreme winds in late March with only the trunk of the 80-year-old tree left standing.
Cr Hanna Persello said a formal community engagement process was necessary given “community backlash” on social media following the announcement of the proposed $18,000 art project.
“I think we need to engage the community formally to really gauge the opinion of the community before we go ahead with this,” she said.
Cr Frank Morello suggested any decision be deferred until the completion of council’s public art strategy.
“It’s worth noting there is a public art strategy currently being developed, I would be inclined to defer any decision until that is completed,” he said.
“We want the city’s public art program to be cohesive and thematic and to follow some sort of dedicated plan.”
Mayor Andrew Lee noted the estimated $18,000 to carve the tree sculpture had not been budgeted.
“I actually do not favour doing anything other than cutting the stump down and planting another tree,” Cr Steve Perryman said.
“Maybe we could have a ceremonial planting for the new tree – Fred Robinson was the caretaker of that area for years, I think he would be chuffed to be invited to take part in something like that.”
Council voted in favour of a motion put forward by Cr Morello to remove the tree and plant a new tree in the same area, while retaining the timber until council’s public art strategy is completed before making a final decision on the use of the timber.
Many of the larger branches of the tree were also retained and are being held at the council’s depot.
