A WOMAN who has lived in the Bega Valley for 27 years is devastated at the decision to cut down the last large eucalyptus in Bega’s Littleton Gardens.

The tree will be removed this weekend as part of Bega Valley Shire Council’s works program for the gardens. 

Skye Etherington of Wallagoot said the last tree should remain in the gardens as a memorial of what used to be there and because it was an important habitat tree. 

“Littleton Gardens used to be a lovely place to go and have lunch under a tree,” she said.  

“It was a nice green zone in the middle of town. 

“Now it lacks any shade in the summer months and is overshadowed by ‘the mall’ and the new box council building. 

“It is now a place I avoid.”

Ms Etherington recalled in July 2013, several magnificent large trees, home to a myriad of birds, were removed from Littleton Gardens by the council in a surprising move on a Saturday morning. 

“I was at work on the Saturday morning when I heard that the trees were being cut,” she said. 

“[I] went up there to try and stop the work. 

“The area was fenced off, and Harriett Swift and I went into the area so they would stop work. 

“They didn’t. 

“Police were called and we had to leave the fenced area.” 

Skye said the action she took on the day was followed up by a community meeting conveyed by Jo Dodds as well as a delegation to council.

“[The meeting] was supposed to enhance more meaningful ‘consultation’ with the community, which is sorely missing from council’s agenda,” she said. 

Ms Etherington said all the trees were originally planted by members of the Bega Valley community.