Tree falls on footpath

By Monique Ebrington
AUTHORITIES have denied any safety concerns despite a large tree crashing over a path frequented by children attending Badger Creek Primary School and the nearby pre-school.
A large pine tree fell across the path between Badger Creek Road and Badger Creek Pre-School on Tuesday 10 February.
Luckily no children were in the vicinity when the tree came down.
The school had closed its doors that day because of high fire danger.
However, on regular school days parents park their cars on the grounds of Badger Creek Pre-School and Badger Creek Old School before walking their children along the path to the school crossing.
Badger Creek principal Mark Brisbane said that he had no concerns about the remaining pine trees along the path.
He said no parents had expressed any safety concerns.
“We feel confident about the remaining trees.
“Parents have shown no expression of concern and if I had received a complaint I would act on it,” Mr Brisbane said.
Shire spokeswoman Tracey Varley said that the other trees in the area were inspected by shire staff and, while one needed to be removed, the rest appeared sound.
The pine tree also fell onto a nearby angophora tree, planted by the Badger Creek Progress Association on 21 October 1956 as a tribute to Eliza-Jane Eadie.
Ms Varley said the tree was able to be saved and all that was required was the removal of the damaged branches.