Activists from the Grassroots Action Network have torn down 100 metres of fencing around giant trees in St David’s Park in Hobart ‘in support of the homeless community’.
The fences were erected by the City of Hobart last month to protect the near century-old giant sequoia trees after a recent fire caused permanent damage to one of them.
The council recently said scarring and significant burns were inflicted upon one of the trees in August when a homeless camp, including tents and other belongings, went up in flames.
The affected area was fenced off to allow for the planting of fire-retardant species like Arthropodium, which they said would create a natural barrier to prevent further damage.
The Grassroots Action Network say the fences are “yet another extremely embarrassing example of our elected members choosing to further punish those doing it tough rather than lend a hand with real conversations and productive solutions.”
“We are living through the worst housing and cost-of-living crisis on record,” a spokesperson said.
“This kind of hostile response has been proven globally to do nothing to decrease homelessness but rather displaces people from where they are more comfortable to less sheltered, less safe areas out of the public eye,” the spokesperson said.
“Once again, Hobart City Council has shown us that they care more about a heritage-listed tree than the wellbeing of some of the most vulnerable people in our community, who are sleeping outside in one of the coldest, wettest parts of the country.”
The Council say they are working alongside The Salvation Army, which operates a homeless shelter nearby, to assist people experiencing homelessness in the park.
