ERROL PARKER | Editor-at-large | Contact
A local councillor who moonlights as a property developer has told police that he doesn’t know who poisoned a 120-year-old elm tree on Goldman Broadway in Betoota Grove.
The tree, which sits between Gavin Coleman’s latest project and Lake Betoota, has since died after a vandal drilled into the tree’s trunk and poured Round-Up down the holes.
However, police today have cleared the 49-year-old of killing the popular tree.
The news comes after Mr Coleman was able to provide a rock-solid alibi for the night the tree was allegedly poisoned.
Speaking to the media this morning outside the French Quarter Police Station, Gavin said he just wants to move on with his life now.
“A lot of people, including you media types, have all but accused me of poisoning this majestic old elm,” he said.
“But my name has been cleared and if any of you bastards, particularly you pieces of shit at the Betoota Bugle. Anyway, get out of my way, I’ve got boutique, bespoke townhouses to build.”
While Mr Coleman’s guilt is obvious to almost everyone in town, the City of Betoota has elected to leave the tree in state until they’re legally obligated to remove it.
Councillor Keith Carton, Lord Mayor of Betoota, spoke to our reporter about the police investigation a short time ago.
He told The Advocate that while his office and the police weren’t able to pin this act of environmental terrorism on Gavin this time, there are other avenues in which they can.
“I have a feeling any development application Gavin lodges in the future will be met with extreme scrutiny,” said Carton.
“That and we’ll be sending rangers every day to book the tradesmen’s vehicles parked on the verge. In addition to that, the fire warden and our representative from Work Cover will be stopping by,”
“It might not be a fine but it’ll surely cost him an equal amount.”
More to come.
