A FRIEND of Littleton Gardens feels “tricked” by the council, which appears to have once again made significant community decisions without adequate consultation.
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Jo Dodds was one of many in the Bega community distressed when several large eucalypts were removed from the Bega public space two years ago.
In the wake of that furore, Ms Dodds started the Friends of Littleton Gardens group and felt she was getting a good hearing from Bega Valley Shire Council general manager Leanne Barnes and then-Mayor Bill Taylor.
“They were very responsive to our concerns and seemed to understand what the problems were,” she said.
However, this week’s notification the last remaining gum tree is to come down within days brought old wounds back to the surface.
“That tree removal two years ago broke people’s hearts – people were crying in the park, there was immense anger,” Ms Dodds said on Wednesday after learning the eucalypt’s fate just the night before.
“The council had their knuckles rapped over that, but out of that group we had some really good communications.
“All that pain the first time – now we’re back with the same result.
“I feel like now I was tricked – I went out and sold their message to the community in good faith.
“But I have no faith now that things will go the way the community wants right through to the end.
“There seems to be a disconnect within council that diverges with community wishes,” she said.
Ms Dodds said she saw the role of the local council was to construct an environment along what’s best for the town, in consultation with the community.
“If that’s not happening, what’s the point?” she said.
The Friends of Littleton Gardens have been dormant lately, partly due to their belief they had achieved some positive change within the council’s communication strategies.
However, Ms Dodds said the group had found renewed purpose this week.
Find them on Facebook under the page name “Bega District Community Council”.
Tree always on the chopping block
ORIGINAL council documents regarding the Littleton Gardens masterplan indicated the last remaining eucalypt was already on the future chopping block years ago.
What it also clearly shows is “Trees 5 and 6” were rated safe and as having some part to play in the future civic centre development.
Those two gum trees were the first to go.
A third tree – overhanging the children’s playground – was proven to be rotten to the core and duly cut down not long after.
Jo Dodds questioned the Bega Valley Shire Council’s commitment to providing public amenities in the centre of town.
“In all these documents there is barely any mention of amenities for enjoyment – it’s all about grass, trip hazards and car parking,” she said.
“Before, we had protection from the sun and wind.
“Not only is there none now, I challenge the council to approach anyone in the street and ask them who knows what’s coming next.
“There are no signs on the contractors’ fences, there are no pictures of what’s expected once the gardens are completed here – and it’s our park, the community’s.
“I’m using emotive language I know, but this is an emotive issue, not mere town planning.
“It goes to trust.”
Online petition calls for tree's retention
AN ONLINE petition calling on councillors to save the one remaining large eucalypt in Littleton Gardens has been given new life.
A change.org petition, “Don’t destroy the last big trees in Littleton Gardens” was launched two years ago, calling on supporters to make their views known to the nine Bega Valley Shire councillors.
In the wake of this week’s news the tree is getting the chop, signatures have started to flow once more.
“The remaining gum tree is regularly used as a nest tree by magpies and is a roost for Bega's galahs,” the petition reads.
“It provides valuable summer shade for people and cars using the car park.
“Enough damage has been done to Little Gardens trees already.
“Please spare this last tree for the sake of the birds and the Bega community.”
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