Trees planted in median islands in Harden's Neill Street will remain despite Hilltops Council staff recommending they be removed.
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Hilltops Councillors voted at their August meeting to retain the trees.
Cr Matt Stadtmiller voted against the recommendation to retain the trees which came from Cr Tony Flanery after staff recommended to: "remove the trees from the median islands due to the difficult growing conditions and the road safety issues identified".
Cr Flanery told the meeting the species of tree chosen for the median strips "were deliberately chosen because the environmental landscape architect who devised the plan chose the species because they could, quote unquote, almost grow in concrete".
The idea was to get a canopy across the street in summer, they are deciduous, required very little maintenance when established and provide a green space in summer and let light in in winter," he said.
"To remove them would be to completely undermine the original plan.
"The issue with the Neill street tree planting and architecture is one of a lack of maintenance and management, it's nothing to do with the original plans (for Neill Street).
"I strongly oppose the removal of the trees. It would be a major failing to do this," Cr Flannery said.
It had been recommended to council that the trees in the centre islands in Neill Street be removed as:
1. there is insufficient root space for sound tree development;
2. there is insufficient space for canopy development due to the regular damage by passing trucks, and;
3. The irrigation requirements for trees and roses are so completely different.
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