PRESS RELEASE

AHI Gardens Restores Access at Northwest Homemaker Centre

When the remnants of Tropical Cyclone Alfred swept through Brisbane, the aftermath was anything but gentle. The storm had left its mark—torrential rain, fierce winds, and the unmistakable signs of destruction scattered across the city. Among the casualties were seven towering Leopard trees that succumbed to the relentless gusts, crashing down in the car park of the Northwest Homemaker Centre in Everton Park.

Late Sunday afternoon, as businesses assessed the damage and planned for recovery, AHI Gardens received an urgent call. The request was straightforward yet pressing: clear the store entryways and driveways to ensure that retail operations could resume by 10:00 a.m. the next morning. Time was tight, the conditions were unforgiving, but the task was non-negotiable.

A Race Against Time and Weather

By first light on Monday, the AHI Gardens team was on-site. The clock read 6:00 a.m., but the skies were still weeping from the storm’s fury. Rain poured ceaselessly, saturating the ground and turning the already precarious conditions into a slippery challenge. In the dim morning light, the scale of the task became evident—four massive trees obstructed the immediate roadways and store entrances. If customers were to enter Harvey Norman, Spotlight, and Anaconda as planned, these barriers needed to be removed with precision and speed.

The Team Behind the Recovery

Leading the charge was Managing Director Trevor Dixon, chainsaw in hand, working with practiced efficiency to dismantle the fallen giants. Operations Manager Kerri Newlove maneuvered the 2-tonne tipper truck with finesse, hauling away debris as quickly as it was cut. Assisting them was horticulturalist Darcy Lawson, whose expertise in tree management proved invaluable as the team strategized their approach. Every cut, every haul, every maneuver was performed under the relentless downpour, their determination undeterred by the elements.

Restoring Order, One Branch at a Time

The methodical dismantling of the fallen trees continued for hours. Branch by branch, trunk by trunk, the obstructions were cleared, ensuring that both vehicles and pedestrians could safely navigate the car park once more. By mid-morning, a sense of accomplishment settled over the crew. Customers, oblivious to the pre-dawn battle fought in the rain, began filtering into the stores, their shopping routines resuming as if the chaos of the night before had never happened.

More Than Just a Clean-Up

This was more than a tree removal operation; it was a testament to resilience and rapid response. In a matter of hours, what had seemed like an impassable mess had been transformed into a fully functional retail hub. The dedication of the AHI Gardens team ensured that local businesses could open their doors without delay, proving once again that in the face of adversity, swift action and expertise make all the difference.

As the rain finally eased and the last remnants of debris were cleared, one thing was certain—when the storm subsides, it’s the hands that rebuild that truly make the difference.