FRUSTRATED residents have called for action on preserving the city’s most iconic laneway, as Tamworth Regional Council (TRC) moves to implement a conservation plan for King George V Avenue memorial oak trees.
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TRC resolved in April to forward a conservation management plan (CMP) for the iconic 90-year-old King George V Avenue English oaks to the NSW Office of Environment and Heritage (OEH).
The CMP was lodged with OEH in June, but TRC has since been advised that a $2500 fee must be paid before the trees are officially endorsed.
Almost nine months after the decision was first made, TRC will vote on Tuesday night to forward the CMP to OEH for official endorsement at a cost of $2500, as well as approve $15,000 to replace 20 trees along the stretch.
It’s a delay that local residents and Save King George V Ave Action Group seriously question.
“So far, nothing’s been done,” Mr McKinnon said.
“We’re confused as to why it has taken so long to get approval and fear there is some sort of reluctance ... that this keeps getting delayed.”
The English oak trees, which have since created a popular tourist destination and photographic backdrop, were planted by the Tamworth community in 1936 as a memorial to King George V.
The trees were added to the NSW National Trust’s register in 2013 after a long-fought community battle to save them, as TRC abandoned long-held plans to make the road a second access point to Calala.
Mr McKinnon said the trees removed will be replaced by advanced planting – trees about four or five-year-old – and must be undertaken by a certified nursery.
“We just want this plan to get going,” he said. “The King George V Action Group is puzzled at the delay.”
Tamworth mayor Col Murray said getting endorsement from the OEH would be a step in the right direction and that replanting conditions were ideal after a wet spring.
“It’s been fairly difficult to source the exact same (trees),” he said.
“It will be an ongoing process to keep replacing them year by year. (The trees) add character and are certainly embedded well into the history of the city.”
King George V Ave is one of only two laneways to be heritage listed in the country.
Endorsement of the CMP is estimated to be received in April or May, but TRC hopes replanting will be “pursued as soon as possible”.
