That’s the view of Bathurst resident Sue Sweetnam after hearing about Bathurst Regional Council’s plans to remove and replace them.

Council announced last year it would remove the trees from Durham Street between Bentinck and Stewart streets in a three-stage project over the next two years.

They will be replaced with two varieties of trees said to be better suited to the climate.

Ms Sweetnam, a local businessperson, says the crepe myrtle trees on the eastern side of Durham Street, between Bentinck and Stewart streets, are too beautiful to tear down.

“Customers who come into the store tell me how beautiful they are,” she said.

Ms Sweetnam says getting rid of them would be a wasting a resource that provides both beauty and shade.

“I can understand council’s reasoning, maybe the trees need maintenance, but it just seems like a waste to get rid of established trees,” she said. 

“I don’t see the point in taking down established trees when they’ll have to wait 10 to 15 years for new trees to grow.” 

If council is determined to remove the trees along Durham Street, Ms Sweetnam recommends they make use of them elsewhere.