This is Not Art!

Thanks for nothing...

Newcastle Council administration finally had its way with Laman Street figs.
More photos at http://saveourfigsphotos.blogspot.com.au/

December 1st 2011 Marks a Black Day for Newcastle

Rally outside Newcastle Town Hall before Council votes on premier's offer of an independent arborist to resolve the fig dispute.

Council meeting ends in a black day for Newcastle when Laman figs get the death sentence and a 77 year old women is allegedly shoved to the ground by an anti-fig councillor. Grief-stricken Novacastrians reconvene at Civic Park to discuss their loss. See the video outside council chambers showing community outrage at http://youtu.be/GfbDErDOGc0. More pics and vid at http://australiandocumentaryphotos.blogspot.com/2011/12/1111-not-very-novacastrian-behaviour-by.html

And the Winner is ... Newcastle!

ORDERS
The orders of the Court are as follows:

(1)Order that until final determination of these proceedings the respondents not cause the destruction or removal of the fig trees in Laman Street, Cooks Hill.

(2)The proceedings are expedited and the final hearing is fixed for 5 and 6 December 2011.

(3)Direct the applicant to file and serve any further evidence on which it relies and its submissions by 25 November 2011.

(4)Direct the respondents to file and serve any further evidence on which they rely and their submissions by 1 December 2011.

(5)Costs are reserved.

(6)The exhibits may be returned.

(7)Liberty to apply.

Day of High Courtroom Drama Ends in Optimism

The faces of the Green Team outside the Land and Environment Court are etched with suspense during a break in proceedings as the courtroom drama unfolds. Lawyers for Newcastle Council argue that the pro-figs case contains a fatal flaw in that it was not mandatory for the General Manager to accept the premier's offer of an independent arborist to resolve the community stand-off. But there is a legal precedent to consider...
Lawyers defending Laman figs contend that the cost of imposing APEC style security around Laman street for so long was a choice by the council administration and not a necessity. Case adjourned.

A Day of high courtroom drama ends in cautious optimism and a successful fundraiser at Lizottes to fight the good fight.