Parkes Shire Council commissioned a consulting arborist in November 2016 to inspect the existing 11 eucalyptus trees, following the severe storm that struck Parkes a month earlier.

It was the same storm that left a number of buildings damaged, numerous roads blocked from fallen trees and more than 4800 Parkes residents in the dark – some for almost 20 hours.

Parkes was among the areas worst hit in NSW.

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Council immediately addressed the significant structural and safety issues affecting the trees as part of the storm clean-up process.

However, the arborists’ report still recommended the trees be removed due to their deteriorating condition.

Council is aiming to revitalise the entrance to the cemetery, with plans to replace the eucalyptus trees with deciduous trees, install irrigation, construct kerb and guttering along the internal road, as well as a new footpath.

“The condition of the existing trees has rendered them a potential risk to visitors of the cemetery,” Parkes Shire Council’s Director Works and Services, Ben Howard said.

“For the future amenity, ongoing management of the cemetery, and to minimise the risk of falling limbs, we will remove the old trees and replace with a smaller deciduous tree species.

“As part of Council’s Parkes Cemetery Entrance and Tree Management Strategy, we will totally rehabilitate the site.”

Mr Howard said the strategy offers a number of concept images of the proposed options that will go on public exhibition for comment.

The project follows on from the refurbishment of the Sands Garden in 2017, in response to a request made to council.

The project involved re-setting all the memorial plaques, landscaping and installing a new seat to overlook the garden.