Falling tree crushes car Resident seeks council compensation after SUV written-off

l STRATFORD | Nick Dalton

A HOLLOWAYS Beach resident is seeking compensation from Cairns Regional Council after he claims a tree on council land fell and wrote off his car.

Abdelhay Battal was visiting a friend at Stratford on Saturday, July 1, about 6pm when he heard a loud noise and a crash.

He went outside of 29 Behan St and saw a tree and powerlines had fallen on to his 2009 Ford Territory SUV. The roof and windscreen were caved in.

“The tree and powerlines had fallen on top of my car, damaged my car so badly it has been written off,” Mr Battal, 46, said.

He said Ergon Energy, the police and a council officer visited the site and filed reports.

“The council officer said my car would be covered by the council,” Mr Battal said.

He said the police recorded the event as a traffic accident.

“Another lady resident said this had happened before,” Mr Battal said.

“I was uninsured but of course have third party insurance.

“A panel beater has written off the car and the council went to East Coast Paint and Panel and they also wrote off the car.

“The council has refused to do anything. Why can’t they replace my car?

“They told me they can’t do anything, it’s not their fault and they didn’t offer anything.”

Mr Battal said he had only bought the car two months ago for $7800 and it was in good condition.

He said he needed it to drive to his mechanic’s job at Mareeba every day and now was forced to