Only several weeks ago, concerned residents gathered when they learnt several trees were to go.

Parkes Shire Council staff stopped the work at the time while the matter was resolved.

Now following the most recent meeting of council, it has been decided that large eucalypt trees are to be removed from Baker Street to make way for the construction of  a new pedestrian walkway. 

However as resolved at the Council meeting, they will not be removed until a community meeting is held on site to discuss replacement program.

At their meeting, councillors heard that the current trees would cause problems as the area was developed and needed to be replaced with a more suitable species.

Council resolved to remove the four eucalypt trees adjacent to the Parkview Motel and replace them with more suitable species around various locations of both Cheney and McGlynn Parks. 

A total number of approximately 130 additional trees will be replanted.

A report from council’s parks and gardens coordinator said only one of the trees was “in reasonable health” and three needed ongoing maintenance.

Council also approved removal of eucalypt trees adjacent to the new hockey pitch along Baker Street.

 Director of Engineering Services Ben Howard page 1.

 said these would also be replaced.

“These large eucalypt trees that run parallel with Baker Street … will pose safety concerns by shadowing the field and ongoing maintenance risks upon the project being completed,” Mr Howard said in his report to council.

“The main concern coming from suppliers and installers was that a field in part shade, part sun, doesn’t meet recommended safety requirements. It is unsafe from the players’ perspective.

“Also if the synthetic turf is in shade and doesn't dry out properly, it creates the opportunity for the growth of mould within the synthetic surface.”

A construction of a footpath to the new hospital will also affect trees on the other side of the parks.

Council has gained more than $157,000 to improve the footpath network linking to the new hospital site and the sporting facilities.

The removal of some of the trees was flagged last year when council developed a master plan of future works for Cheney / McGlynn.

Council received three objections to the plan when it was advertised, with residents complaining that lighting at the fields was ‘obtrusive’.

Mayor Ken Keith said there were plans to replace the lighting at local sporting fields as more modern lighting would be “more directional, with less spilling out”.

Council resolved at the meeting to prioritise Cheney / McGlynn in its lighting replacement program and has allocated $25,000 to undertake a replacement program in this financial year.

They also resolved to meet local residents at the site to discuss the plans for the park.

Under the proposal, the eucalypts will be replaced with a mix of deciduous pin oaks, ornamental pear trees, bull bay magnolias and various natives.