Council won't pay for repairs
THE council says a falling palm frond that caused $600 worth of damage to a Rockhampton woman's car was “an act of God” and it will not compensate.
But did the regional authority have a guilty conscience when, days after the incident, it inspected palms on Quay Street and trimmed the tree in question?
The answer may never be known.
Bree Forse was parked in Quay Street earlier this month when a palm frond fell onto her car, smashing her rear windscreen.
After contacting the council to see whether it would cover the repairs, Bree was told she would be contacted in three to four days.
A council spokeswoman told The Bully that regular maintenance was carried out on the trees and that falling fronds were considered “an act of God” and subsequent damage would not be paid for by the council.
Days later council officers trimmed the tree that had dropped the frond.
A spokeswoman for the council said another frond was noticed during an inspection.
“Following an incident report received by council, palm trees were inspected along Quay Street,” she said.
“A council officer noticed a loose palm frond on a tree and took proactive action to have it removed. Regular maintenance for the palm trees along Quay Street is scheduled for early December.”
