newy.com.au – Lake Macquarie City Council has spent more than $5000 removing traffic cones from tall trees as a dangerous social media stunt spreads across the city.
The cones have been found perched precariously atop trees, particularly in Lake Macquarie’s eastern suburbs, after people climbed traffic lights, Norfolk pines and other tall tree species at night, apparently without safety equipment.
Council’s Manager City Works, Barry McDaid, said those involved were taking increasing risks to reach the treetops.
“These pranksters are becoming more daring in terms of the height of the trees they’re climbing and the unsteady branches they’re traversing to reach the top,” he said.
“We’re talking trees up to 25m in height. As they say: it’s all fun and games until someone gets hurt, and in this case, it could be a serious injury or even death.”
The practice, known as “coning”, has gained prominence on social media and is particularly well known in New Zealand, where people have scaled and “coned” trees up to 50m tall.
Council warned the stunt also posed a danger to people and property below. The cones could fall, while climbers were damaging branches and leaving behind partly broken limbs known as “hangers”, which could later detach.
“They’re also causing damage to the branches when climbing the trees, leaving behind ‘hangers’ – partly broken limbs that might later detach and create a hazard for anyone below,” Mr McDaid said.
“These require additional time and resources to remove, and the cones themselves present a significant danger if they fall onto someone or something below.”
The cones could also stunt tree growth and potentially have long-term effects on tree health.
Anyone with information about the Lake Macquarie incidents is urged to contact council on 4921 0333 or Crimestoppers on 1800 333 000.
