Surry Hills’ tree makes way for pilgrims

Despite howls of protests, an old macadamia tree ? planted in memory of an elderly resident in a Surry Hills pocket park ? made way for 50,000 pilgrims for World Youth Day.
A handful of angry Surry Hills residents tried unsuccessfully to stop the tree from being pruned to allow the pilgrims access through the park.
World Youth Day organisers, with help from police, cleared plants from the Parkham Street reserve to build a two-metre wide ramp for pilgrims to walk across on their way to Randwick racecourse before last week?s event.
Police told residents that the roped-off construction area was an authorised work zone and warned that WorkCover could fine them for being inside the park.
Residents were supported by City of Sydney Greens Cr Chris Harris. Cr Harris said residents were upset over their ?backyard being invaded? by the World Youth Day Authority ?for no real purpose?.
A World Youth Day worker said that the park would be restored after the event.
– Mick Roberts