THE removal over the weekend of a stand of mature blue gum trees in Littleton Gardens has sparked great outrage among members of the community against the Bega Valley Shire Council.
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Since Saturday afternoon, council’s Facebook page has been inundated with community reaction following the sudden removal of the trees.
Most of the anger is directed at the council about a perceived lack of public consultation and an unspecified date set for the removal of the trees.
Bega Valley Shire Council resolved at its July 24 meeting that six large gum trees were to be removed, at a time appropriate to each tree, and replaced with a more appropriate park species as part of the remodelling of Littleton Gardens in Bega.
The decision passed 8-1, with Cr Keith Hughes the only objection.
Two trees were identified for immediate removal due to safety and risk concerns – one behind the post office and the other in the children’s playground.
In his report to councillors on the trees, group manager of infrastructure, waste and water Wayne Sartori said the master plan for the park included the replacement of trees that have been found to be in poor condition.
He said there had been a number of incidents recently and increasing public concern about the potential danger from dropped limbs and branches, particularly in view of the increasing number of people using the park.
He said a qualified tree surgeon had assessed the trees and found them to be in poor condition, or nearing a point where they will pose a danger to the public and that it was therefore better to act now before any harm is caused.
Advanced Manchurian pears were chosen as replacement trees.
At this stage the gum tree behind the post office has been removed, but the large one in the children’s playground – described at the council meeting as “the worst of the lot” remains.
However, it was the removal of the two large blue gums in the centre of Littleton Gardens that caused the weekend outrage.
Bega’s Judy Geary was present at the tree removal and described it as a “weekend ambush”.
“The community clearly let council know that the large gums were to be retained in the redevelopment of Littleton Gardens in Bega,” Ms Geary said.
“It is time to question the facts of the issue.
“The plan developed by Ted Dexter and approved by stakeholders specified the retention of these trees,” she said.
“Large trees are present in public parks and gardens all over the world.
“As for the health of the trees, they were in the prime of their lives, with full crowns and no sign of any rot, which was obvious as they were being cut down.
“Trees are not inherently dangerous. Having said that, I do look up before spending time under a tree, and in windy weather I go home.”
Ms Geary added there are many landscape devices available to allow for the coexistence of large trees and the community, other than chainsaws.
“Exclusion zones demarcated by visual or physical landscaping features keep us all safe - including the trees,” she said.
“We also need to question where this timber is going, as it is a community asset and very valuable blue gum wood.”
Ms Geary said SCPA market stallholders who had voiced concerns about safety while operating their stalls in windy conditions at Littleton Gardens should now have to “pitch their stall tents in the full sun, leaving what remains of the existing shade for the community”.
Tribal Interiors business owner Shona Macpherson contacted the BDN yesterday to express her concerns and take issue with the council.
“I was at the park on Saturday looking at the trees thinking how they would fit in to the new design of Littleton Gardens, not knowing that they would be going to be cut down that very afternoon.
“Through my business I come into contact with very conservative business-minded people in the community who express their absolute frustration with council and would like to have a say in what council decides.
“These are people who have invested their work, life, time and children in the community and are not radical–minded.
“Cutting these trees down does not advantage the community or the garden design.
“There is a definite lack of consultation by council in this community, and a lack of a bigger vision for the community,” Ms Macpherson said.
Bega resident Paul Alker said it was a shame to see such beautiful trees cut down, but he could understand the council’s issue of public safety.
“There was a similar tree in my mum’s yard in Bega which she had to have removed as it was rotten on the inside and used to drop massive limbs.
“She was very worried that a limb would drop on her grandchildren who play in the yard.”
In responding to one of the Facebook comments the Bega Valley Shire Council stated “the Littleton Gardens redevelopment will have replacement trees, new furniture, new play equipment, new lighting and new toilets”.
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