A fierce dispute has ignited between a Melbourne resident and the Stonnington Council over a tree causing significant property damage.
Nicholas Jackson, who has lived in the area for 30 years, asserts the Liquidambar tree has caused extensive plumbing and driveway damage on his property, costing him tens of thousands of dollars, with potential costs reaching $100,000.
Despite his pleas to have the tree removed, the Stonnington Council has denied his request, citing a lack of credible evidence linking the tree to the claimed damage.
The council’s decision, based on independent arborist assessments, concluded that the tree is healthy and structurally sound, with a potential lifespan of another 10 to 20 years.
They suggested that the plumbing issues might be due to old or compromised pipes and deemed the driveway damage minor and repairable at a low cost.
Mr Jackson, however, remains unsatisfied with the council’s response, and has since questioned the financial threshold required for the tree’s removal.
“Over the years, I started to notice more and more plumbers in my front yard, digging up the garden, you know, repairing water pipes, unblocking sewage, fixing leaks in the irrigation and the drainage,” he told A Current Affair.
“I asked the (council) CEO, what does this tree have to cost me, for you to allow me to remove it? And I’m still waiting for an answer.”
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Nicholas Jackson has been living in the Toorak home for 30 years. (A Current Affair)
His application to the Stonnington Council was rejected twice. (A Current Affair)
Despite exhausting all internal appeals, including a council meeting in August 2024, Jackson’s request was consistently denied.
The council maintains that their decision was made following a thorough investigation and a structured appeals process, emphasising their role in preserving tree cover and local character under their Urban Forest Strategy.
Mr Jackson may now be forced to take the matter to the Supreme Court or the Victorian Ombudsman to challenge the council’s decision.
He’s hoping, however, that it can be resolved before then.
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For its part, Stonnington Council claimed that they did in fact inspect the tree, but failed to see any evidence to support Nicholas’ claims.
“Each case is considered on its individual merits and guided by independent arborist advice, officer inspections, and a structured appeals process,” a council spokesperson told Yahoo News.
“In this case, Council did not find credible evidence linking the tree to the extent of damage claimed to either the dwelling or property and provided low-cost options to the resident addressing any concerns without the need to remove the tree.”
Homeowners warned as 5.5m invasive monster ripped from yard
Mr Jackson’s issue is the latest battle to emerge in Australia between residents and their council over tree disruption — and their roots.
Earlier this year, experts sounded the alarm over massive root systems that often seized control of water tanks and other structures.
Elliot Aisthorpe of Big Country Earthworks shared jaw-dropping footage of him pulling out a behemoth two-storey high “monster”, warning it could happen to anyone who planted trees with invasive roots near their property.
Elliot Aisthorpe of Big Country Earthworks shared jaw-dropping footage of the two-storey high monster root system pulled out of a backyard watertank. Source: BigCountryEarthworks/TikTok
“This is a great example why you should never plant trees with invasive roots near your home. You can just see what sort of damage they’re going to cause,” he warned.
“Look at this little tree growing out of the top of the tank. Let’s go and have a look and see what’s inside. Holy moly. Look at the roots. No wonder why we’re pulling these tanks down.
“I’m using my excavator here to pull them out. Have a guess how long you think these roots will be?”
Water supply firm Unitywater executive manager customer delivery Rhett Duncan also warned they were now finding one in every three pipe blockages and overflows caused by tree root invasion.
In a six-month period across the Sunshine Coast, its crews attended more than 1300 blockage or wastewater overflow jobs, of which 439 were caused by tree roots.
“Tree roots find their way into pipes to access the water and continue growing in there, effectively blocking the pipe or becoming a mass that other debris can attach to. They are then more difficult to remove and take our crews away from other jobs,” he said.
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