Brendan Simpkins

A ROUGH sleeper at the Gawler Visitor Information Centre has avoided injury after a significant river red gum they were under came down during last Thursday’s wild weather.

According to Gawler Council, the tree in Pioneer Park fell about 4.30am on June 24 as storm conditions lashed the town.

The rough sleeper, who was in the area at the time, was fortunate to avoid injury. Gawler Mayor Karen Redman said council staff had reached out to a care provider to help the individual.

Damage caused from the tree’s fall was minimal, with only minor impact to the centre’s roof occurring and some damage to paving and park furniture.

Council staff removed the fallen tree, with just a stump remaining.

That was not the only incident that occurred during the weather, though, with the old barn near The Bushman Hotel in Cowan Street also damaged.

The southern wall of the barn completely collapsed, with council staff installing temporary barricades to prevent further collapse of the remaining structure.

Ms Redman said council staff had been liaising with the barn’s property owner regarding the removal of the remaining barn structure.

She said council was aware the removal “will be occurring soon”.

A development approval is in place to redevelop the site of the barn into medical offices, which involves the reconstruction of the Barn to “as new”.

A heritage agreement is in place between the owners and the Gawler State Heritage Branch that ensures that the barn will be reconstructed at the same time as the development occurs.

Gawler History Team chairman Brian Thom has asked for any Bunyip readers who have taken photos of “the two magnificent gum trees” in Pioneer Park before they were brought down to send them to the team’s website, gawlerhistory.com