Summerland Farm fig tree incident

Update 10/12/2021
Our hard work has paid off this week as we have completed the removal and clean-up of the fig tree near our carpark at Summerland Farm.

Our car park, retail hub and Adventure Park will reopen from Saturday, 11 December. The change rooms are still closed while we continue to repair damage.

Thank you to our customers and staff for their patience and understanding, while we work on fixing these issues.

Update 6/12/2021

Quotes attributed to General Manager Dylan O’Malley:

A major storm over the weekend has brought down more branches of the fig tree and caused substantial damage to the boardwalk, while bringing down nearby palm trees and causing damage to the change rooms.

Luckily again, no one was in the area at the time because we had implemented an exclusion zone around the fig tree and the storm came through after hours.

The Adventure Park, retail hub and car park all remain closed until we can make the area safe again.

The restaurant is still open and alternative parking arrangements will continue until further notice. Work to remove debris and the fig tree will continue this week, as planned.

We are still working through plans to repair additional damage caused.

2/2/2021

Quotes attributed to Summerland Farm Horticulture Manager Chris Smith:

We’re sad to let you know we need to remove the lovely fig tree at Summerland Farm.

This is because several large branches unfortunately fell and damaged a customer’s car over the weekend. Fortunately, no one was in the area at the time.

We have since discovered a common form of root rot and fungal infection in part of the tree, which is likely to spread. The safety of our community and staff is absolutely important, which is why we have decided to remove the tree to prevent further incidents.

We’re working closely with local arborists, Ballina Shire Council and other authorities to remove the tree. This work will start on Monday, 6 December and take up to five days, weather dependent.

To maintain safety, we’ve fenced off all areas under and around the tree while works take place, which includes carparks. We have also closed the waterpark and part of the adventure playground, which is under the tree. The retail hub will need to close next week, while works are completed.

Our restaurant is still open; however, patrons will need to park in a different location, which is clearly shown on signage placed near the exclusion zone.

We have contacted all our customers who have booked events under the tree in the coming weeks to discuss alternative options.

We are also in the process of contacting all customers with functions and restaurant bookings next week to discuss alternative parking and any other arrangements we can make to minimise disruptions.

For more info on Summerland Farm, visit www.summerlandfarm.com.au

For more information:

Claudia Romero
Phone: 0438 491 101
Email: claudia.romero@aruma.com.au