A local council has finally removed a tree from the road after fed-up neighbours complained for two years, claiming it had caused countless accidents.
The tree, which was planted on the street at the corner of Arden Street and Coogee Bay Road in Coogee, Sydney’s east, was removed on Wednesday.
A Randwick Council spokesman said the decision to remove it was taken because the tree in the box had been vandalised several times.
“The coastal location and condition of the well have also made it difficult for the tree to establish itself at this location,” he told Daily Mail Australia.
‘Given these current problems, the city council will remove the tree and everything around it.’
The spokesman said the council had previously been forced to remove the tree up to six times after it had been repeatedly damaged.
Photographs showed staff repairing the asphalt where the building used to be.
The planter, which was built near the middle of the street on the corner of Arden Street and Coogee Bay Road in Sydney’s east, was removed on Wednesday (pictured)
Motorists have complained for years, saying vehicles repeatedly drove onto the concrete pad surrounding the structure, not waiting for a tree to be planted within a lane of the road.
Furious residents called it “useless” and said it unnecessarily took up space in the left lane at a busy intersection.
Last month, a local coffee shop worker reported three cars crashing into the barriers in one week.
Residents took to social media to express their relief after the box was removed.
“Well done, it was a stupid idea to put it there in the first place,” one person wrote.
“OMG! It’s finally happened. I don’t know why Randwick Council loves to plant trees where they will block the view of oncoming cars (and) pedestrians… especially at intersections. It’s so strange,” wrote another person.
The council previously justified the flora feature, saying it was an important environmental initiative that contributed to the vitality of the area.
The council also said the concrete blocks act as a wheel stop for a nearby parking space.
The council previously said the installation of the planter (pictured left) was an important environmental initiative that contributed to the vitality of the area.
Concrete planters are often used in suburban areas to revitalize the architecture of public spaces.
The structures also provide environmental benefits by increasing air quality and serving as habitat for wildlife.
Boxes are also a cost-effective way to redesign public spaces because they require minimal maintenance and do not need to be replaced frequently.
