Moree residents left reeling from the recent announcement that trees along the main street will be removed are not giving up without a fight.
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Leading the charge is long-term resident and former Moree Plains Shire councillor Claudia Gall, who has presented council with a number of questions regarding the decision, and it's commitment to exploring alternative options.
"It's disgraceful that this whole process has been completed behind closed doors without any consultation from the wider community," Mrs Gall said.
"Our main street greenery is Moree's pride and joy and the source of much admiration from passing traffic.
"Things are so grim at the moment due to drought, it's totally insensitive to now announce we're going to lose our trees as well - it's like kicking the community when it's down."
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Mrs Gall said there were still a number of unanswered questions regarding the plan which needed answering if the community is to trust council with this "very significant change to the whole of the main street landscape and amenity".
Questions posed include why was the wider community not consulted with and informed, and what is the full cost of removal and planting of trees as opposed to the cost of remediation of tiles and root works of existing trees?
"We all know how expensive it is to take out a backyard tree, let alone a tree the size of those in our streets, the root system and the cost of no doubt closing the road during the process," Mrs Gall said.
"I have spoken extensively with 'tree doctors' and arborists and there are options such as root pruning that have been used in the remediation of tiles in urban areas."
Where the new trees would actually be planted was another question, with the old stumps potentially challenging the existing sites for new tree plantings.
"If trees are to be planted in new positions, and a replanting program is truly envisioned, why not implement it now so that trees are established before existing trees are removed?" Mrs Gall asked.
"There are areas that don't need removal of trees where these extra plantings can proceed now - like opposite Memorial Hall, this should have been done years ago."
Another question Mrs Gall posed was, why was regular pruning to Australian Standards not implemented over the whole life of the trees?
"Every asset of council requires maintenance as it ages - why be surprised when a grown asset needs age and size maintenance?" she asked.
With an active gardening culture within the community, the question has also been posed, did council consult with business owners in the CBD, the Moree Garden Club or the Botanical Gardens Group?
"How can staff or consultants who drive in-drive out or fly-in fly-out have the local community interests at heart when they don't live here," Mrs Gall said.
"Unless you're a local, I don't think you can dismiss the psychological boost those green trees give our residents, particularly in drought - not to mention the practical shade they provide during our scorching summers.
"Council 'blames' earlier advice given regarding the plantings for the existing problem - who is to say the current advice is now correct?"
She said the Urban Advisory Committee (UAC) had been quoted as being 'consulted with', when a recommendation was put to council.
Referring to council minutes from July 12, 2018, Mrs Gall believes council changed that recommendation and passed a resolution in 2018 excluding further consultation with ratepayers and others and including the removal of trees in Frome Street as well as Balo Street.
"Like everything the devil is in the detail, and the whole community has the right to hold council accountable, it is our democratic right," Mrs Gall said.
Most alarmingly, Mrs Gall believed, was the simple question - when do works commence?
"We have no indication of when the first trees will come down, which is why it is imperative that anyone passionate about this issue should write to or meet with council, and together perhaps we can look at options transparently as a community," she said.
The Moree Champion contacted Moree Plains Shire Council for a response to Mrs Gall's questions, however council is yet to respond.
