While the petition is still open for the next few days, the amount of support received by the middle of the week was enough for Edward River Council to agree to more discussions.
This was in addition to two letters objecting to the removal printed in the Pastoral Times since last week - one from Josephine Duffy and another from Vicki Erickson.
CEO Jack Bond informed the Pastoral Times on Tuesday afternoon that the matter would be discussed at council level in next week’s meeting.
“Council has received a petition of over 500 members of the public, and will therefore be putting the decision of the tree removal to the next council meeting, currently scheduled for next Tuesday, June 17,” he said.
Business papers for the meeting should be available online from today.
Mr Bond said members of the public can address councillors prior to the council meeting in a public forum, on this issue or any others put to the meeting.
“There may only be a maximum of two people speaking in regard to any 'for' or 'against' item of business,” he said.
“Registrations must be received by Monday at 12.30pm.”
Anyone wishing to address council can register using the link under the ‘public forums’ tab at www.edwardriver.nsw.gov.au/Council/Council-Meetings/About-Council-Meetings.
Ms Duffy said two members of the relatively new group SHADE Trees would be registering to address council.
The plane trees slated for removal are at the corner of End St and Wellington St.
Council has commissioned reports which suggest the root systems of the trees are causing structural damage to nearby buildings.
Ms Duffy, who owns a nearby building that has not been structurally impacted, said they have a conflicting report from another arborist.
With the support of fellow SHADE Tree group members, an online change.org and paper petition were launched on Saturday.
A copy of the petition will be available to sign at tomorrow’s Naponda Farmers Market in the Deniliquin CBD.
“Central to the campaign is a call for the council to rescind its decision,” SHADE said in a prepared release.
“Supporters argue that the plane trees are healthy, structurally sound, and provide significant environmental, aesthetic, and economic benefits.
“They also question the council’s rationale, highlighting points such as: the total absence of any evidence indicating the trees have caused damage to adjoining buildings, and that council's decision ignores the fact that no evidence has been provided to indicate the trees are causing an unacceptable risk to public or private property, that cannot be satisfactorily addressed by alternative processes.
“Certified AQF-8 master arborist Ian McKenzie, engaged by SHADE to provide a report critiquing the arborist reports relied on by council, has assessed the trees’ value to the community at approximately $35,000 each.
“It is estimated that removing both trees would cost the council upwards of $25,000, representing a significant financial loss to rate payers.”
Members said it was “constructive” that council had agreed to bring the matter to a council meeting.
They have encouraged supporters to attend the council meeting and also reach out to elected officials via email or phone to share their views and concerns.
Tuesday’s meeting is expected to be held at council chambers from 10am.
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