Drivers along Bells Line of Road can’t miss it. East Bilpin resident Martin Tebbutt a 50-year Bilpin property owner erected it after becoming angry at the removal of street trees he planted and had nurtured for the past two years. The Tebbutt property, along with many other residents in East Bilpin & Kurrajong Heights were burnout by the out-of-control RFS Mt Wilson backburn.

“Many trees along Bells Line Road were killed by the fire and when they were removed the place looked terrible. Much of the district has beautiful roadside trees planted by previous generations and so my wife and I planted decorative trees each side of the road for future generations to admire.” Said Martin Tebbutt.

The Tebbutt’s nurtured the trees for 2 years receiving compliments from neighbors and residents for their efforts.

The trouble started when the Tebbutts received a phone call from the President of the Bilpin RFS Brigade stating a fire trail was going to be made through the plantings on one side of the road and the trees had to be removed as they were a danger to the community.

“I email my response and said there was space for a fire trail beside the plantings and suggested we discuss things. In the past I have had a good relationship with our local RFS who I had found to be respectful and friendly. But I couldn’t find common ground with this Brigade Executive,” said Tebbutt. Bilpin Brigade did not answer this email.

Next the Tebbutt’s received a visit from NSW RFS officials responding to a complaint that their property was a fire hazard. “I was shocked when they turned up. They wouldn’t say who made the complaint.  I showed them around, they were decent people and very professional and the complimented me on how well kept my property is,” said Tebbutt.

The RFS Commissioner Rob Rogers then sent Mr. Tebbutt a letter saying that his property was not a fire hazard.

Next the Tebbutts received two anonymous abusive letters in their mailbox and one abusive phone call anonymous persons saying they hated the street trees and they needed to be removed.

So, the Tebbutts asked NSW RFS whether they were concerned about their street trees and received their second supportive letter from the RFS Commissioner Rob Rogers saying they weren’t.

Then Hawkesbury Council stepped in after receiving a complaint about the street tree planting from the Bilpin RFS Brigade President. This complaint fell on more fertile ground than the NSW RFS. The Council Administration concluded they had the legal power to remove the trees as the Tebbutt’s had not sought Council permission to plant them. The cost to ratepayers for removal of the trees was $4,602.02.  

The Bilpin RFS posted information on their Facebook page making claims, Tebbutt stated, were false and misleading about the street plantings, however he was unable to respond as the comment’s icon had been disabled.

“This was the last straw. I put up my sign to let everyone know what I think about the behavior of Bilpin RFS and Council”

According to Tebbutt the sign is staying up until Bilpin RFS remove the false statements, they have made on their Facebook Page about the street trees and apologize.