There is growing concern about the number of trees to be removed to pave the way for the proposed Station Street redevelopment.
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This has been prompted by a sign on a property at the entrance to Bowral on the corner of Victoria Street and Mittagong Road.
The sign that says "Station Street Pin Oaks 8 to go not 2 as told. Why?" has been set up on the fence line of a property owned by Wingecarribee Shire Council councillor Garry Turland.
The property is located adjacent to where the Station Street project is set to begin.
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However, the number of trees to be removed is not new information as far as a council is concerned.
A council spokesperson told the Southern Highland News that the removal of two Pin Oaks was based on the original proposed road alignment.
"Council was unfortunately unable to gain agreement from Sydney Trains for that proposed road design," they said.
"The amended road design currently proposed has the agreement of Sydney Trains.
"The change is a result of constraints imposed by Sydney Trains and TfNSW regarding parking for the Bowral Train station.
"These constraints have necessitated changes to the northern entrance and roundabout for the Station Street Upgrade Project.
"This is the only design option that will satisfy the requirements of Sydney Trains."
The spokesperson said that on September 11 and December 11, 2019 two separate briefing sessions were conducted with councillors advising them of ongoing negotiations with Sydney Trains.
The spokesperson said that these negotiations had resulted in an outcome that would require a major redesign of the northern entry and roundabout for the Station Street Project.
"The councillors were advised that the revised design would require five Pin Oaks to be removed as they would be in the actual road alignment for the proposed revised road design," the spokesperson said.
"At this stage it was hoped that a further three trees on the western side of Station Street could be retained subject to site constraints of the road works."
However, the spokesperson said that a further information session was held with councillors on March 4, 2020 where they were presented with a further detailed assessment of the health and viability of the three Pin Oaks identified on the western side, which were subject to the earlier information sessions.
They said that as part of that presentation councillors were also presented with a "Pin Oak Succession Plan" that involved the replanting of five "super advanced" Pin Oaks to replace the trees that were proposed to be removed.
"The advice presented at the information session of March 4 is contained in the report to council on the March 25 and is available on the council website," the spokesperson said.
The spokesperson said that council acknowledged and appreciated that the trees had considerable historic, social and aesthetic significance.
"As a result we've undertaken several investigations and reports to consider these implications, which also includes their current health, safety and longevity," the spokesperson said.
"Advice provided by a leading landscape architect and consulting specialist arborist has indicated that the trees proposed for removal are in a state of declining health and may potentially present a future safety hazard.
"In addition to replanting five super advanced Pin Oaks, the extensive landscaping of the project also proposes planting a further 95 advanced trees within the project footprint."
The spokesperson said a 'Pin Oak Avenue Succession Plan' was proposed as part of the Station Street Upgrade Project, ensuring the prosperity of the avenue of Pin Oaks for future generations to enjoy.
All details, including a detailed video explanation with landscape architect and consulting arborist, Robert Smart, design plans and Pin Oak succession planting schedule, which includes the replanting of five 'super-advanced' Pin Oaks, can be found on council's online consultation hub at www.yoursaywingecarribee.com.au/ssu.
The spokesperson said it was not known at this stage when the planned removal of trees would occur.
Cr Turland said he put up the sign about the Pin Oaks on his Bowral property to make sure the community was aware of the number of trees to be removed.
"Councillors learnt about the increased number during briefing sessions," he said.
"I told councillors and staff at that session that the community would not accept the decision.
"I believe there should be a review of the matter and the results of that review should go on public exhibition so the public can give input.
"Council doesn't own these trees, they belong to the public so the public should be involved."
Cr Turland said he did not disagree with the Station Street proposal, but he disagreed with the way council "was not following due process".
"We were told at the last council meeting that there was no risk of losing the $7.5 million funding [for the Station Street upgrade] from Infrastructure NSW until December 2021," he said.
"We have time to do a review of the environmental impacts, not just on the trees but on other factors including historical matters. And we have time to advertise the findings for public input."
