Wellington Council's Horticultural Services manager Duanne Whittle says trees will go as part of the CBD beautification, but not as many as people are saying and some will go because they are diseased or decayed.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
There has been community angst over proposals to cut down trees but Mr Whittle says council is taking care of the park's environment and beauty.
A final decision on CBD beautification goes to council on Wednesday night.
"I am a horticulturist, no one loves trees and gardens more than me," Mr Whittle said.
"Some trees are going because they are dying and diseased. It doesn't make me happy to do this, but we are doing it to secure the future of the trees and gardens for generations to come."
Mr Whittle said one tree near the playground would go.
"This has to go because it's diseased and it may fall and injure somebody. It's all about public safety," he said.
"An Oleander tree near the toilets will be taken out because it's become poisonous and is affecting the garden beds.
"Also three small trees near the Wellington Visitors and Information Centre will go. These have nothing to do with the proposed CBD beautification, but are are decaying and diseased," Mr Whittle said adding that there was also a replacement program he was working on for the trees.
"A Kurrajong tree next to a large tree which shades the taxi rank area near Coles in the main street will go," he said.
"It will make way for a path but it is also affecting garden beds and the fence which lines the town's main street.
The sunken gardens will not be affected by the beautification plan.
The fence or heritage wall would go in some parts and while it's understood this was initially agreed upon by a meeting of people who petitioned the council, now they have backed away from their original decision.
Some long-time residents say Wellington will lose part of its history and character if the wall goes even though sections of it will stay.
Stories that the cenotaph will be moved are also untrue.
Wellington has a bad track record when it comes to beautifying its business district.
In the 1990s it employed a landscape artist to help but the project didn't go ahead. Community uproar stopped the work.
Now council has employed a project manager who is sitting in an office unable to get on with the job because councillors haven't yet made a decision on the project. The beautification is funded by the Cobbora Restart money.
There have been also concerns the project may have budget difficulties with some councillors concerned it may be more expensive than first thought although it should meet its financial targets.
Wellington's CBD beautification is at a very uncertain stage with the project in jeopardy of being disbanded.
