Foreword

This is a story about a simple man that loves his land. It will lead to more questions than answers, and is simply a self-reflection. I hope the honesty of this self-reflection can create change in ourselves, and inspire others to do the same.

Some Context

Earlier this year, we acquired a new site in Brisbane, near a train line, with the intention to create 5-10 studio spaces and provide more affordable housing to the community. It’s a big problem right now, with rent prices going sky-high and leaving many people without proper accommodation.

As part of the project, we needed to remove a sizeable tree which grew between the power line and telephone line. It’s within 3m from the house, and poses a significant risk to the existing dwelling, not to mention the new proposed dwelling. Ethically and logically correct, or so we thought.

The process to remove the tree was a little unconventional: the height and location of the tree prevented a standard access. The tree lopper suggested we use a cherry picker (basically a very, very tall scissor lift), and park it in the neighbour’s yard so their team could be lifted up and remove the tree bit by bit, 100X safer than any other proposed method we received from other sources (one guy even suggested to climb up). Anyways, that’s a separate story.

This story is about our neighbour: let’s call him Mike. Mike was kind enough to allow us access through his home, even though it meant he had to clear a big part of his yard to make room.

A Story of a Man

I got to know Mike little bit more when I came back to assess the site, and made sure everything was clean and properly fenced off. Mike pointed out that there were native bees living right below the trees, which the previous owner was raising before they sold the house. The tree was also home to a family of magpies: mum & dad and two teens who were just leaving the nest, with gray-ish feathers instead of the iconic black and white look of the highly-territorial magpies.

A bit of context if you’re not from Australia

These birds are sources of childhood traumas for kids here. We have what is called a “swooping season”, where the magpies are incubating eggs and one of the adults are tasked to defend their home, which they conveniently build in residential area with a lot of foot traffic. We have actual guides FROM THE GOVERNMENT on how to avoid magpie attacks.

Why are Aussies laid back? We could die at any moment, so we just have to savour whatever time we have on this beautiful, dangerous land.

ANYWAYS! Mike shared his many experiences and knowledge on the native species.

He spoke about how the birds first approached him when he moved in 25 years ago. After multiple generations of mutual respect, the birds now nest on his home and nearby trees during mating season. When the chooks finally left their nest, they would follow their parents to be hand-fed by our lovely neighbour Mike.

He also spoke about the native bees in his own backyard. What was once a hut for him to enjoy his morning coffee has turned into a safe haven for a colony of native bees. In return, Mike gets some fresh honey from time to time.

Tree saplings that he planted in his yard are now fully grown. The people he planted them with have passed, but the trees remind him of happier times.

Paying It Forward: Our Best Effort

Mike loved his land, and wildlife have grown to love him back.

We decided to relocate the bee colonies on our land to his front (with Mike’s help, of course). Our initial thoughts on earthworks would include the removal of two mango trees that sat on Mike’s block, but we decided to pay a little extra to design around trees. See the before and after below:

Would it have been a better decision as an investor to remove the trees? Probably.

Our ethos for developments used to be solely around the people involved. Mike changed that.

Reflection

In the past 15 years, we’ve renovated and converted old homes to rooming homes. We’ve created affordable housing for our tenants, and cash flow for our family. If we were honest with ourselves, not once has conservation been a topic of discussion. Not once did we think to ourselves “hey, how can we create a better home for the wildlife at the same time? How can we preserve their home?”.

Questions that now live in our minds, rent free:

How can we actively protect green space?

How will our developments impact wildlife?

Without green space and the beauty it brings, are we still creating a liveable space? Or is it just a concrete jungle?

Thank you, Mike.