PEACEFUL protesters have intervened in the removal of multiple trees from Jacques Park, South Bathurst.
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A group of three families gathered in the park on Friday to protest the removal of "healthy" trees, preventing Bathurst Regional Council workers from doing their job.
Resident Cathie Hale, who spoke on behalf of the protesters, said she has lived near the park for years and put in time tending it.
"Our children have grown up around here and we love it and we care a lot about it," she said.
"Every autumn, we look forward to these beautiful poplars turning golden.
"... These trees are serving a function. They are habitat for many animals, they help to stabilise the banks of the creek, and this creek is a very delicate riparian zone and we need to look after it."
Seeing one of the poplars being removed brought Ms Hale to tears, and it led her to gather other families to try to put a stop to more of them being cut down on Friday.
She said that some of the trees in Jacques Park were diseased and should be removed, but the one that had already been brought down was not one of them.
The group have contacted council with their concerns.
They have an ally in councillor John Fry, who has asked council to allow two healthy poplars to remain if possible.
"I agree with the residents - why remove an iconic glade of trees and disturb a functional healthy riparian ecosystem and cause an explosion of weeds when this is completely avoidable," he said in an email.
In a response to questions from the Western Advocate, council's manager of recreation Mark Kimbel said that there are up to eight trees and a number of poplar suckers due to be removed, but only within the riparian creek area of the site.
He said an environmental rehabilitation project has been occurring along the section of Hawthornden Creek that transects Jacques Park over several years.
"The removal of the poplars is just one step in the ongoing restoration of this section of Hawthornden Creek, which has been in progress, with community input, over the last several years," he said.
"Removal of NSW classified weeds of significance, such as poplars and willows, within riparian areas are a necessary requirement to ensure that the Bathurst region's river systems do not degrade back to their previously poor condition. Exotic weeds such as poplars and willows within creek zones have the ability to destroy our native plant and animal species as well as pollute and choke out our waterways."
Ms Hale said that, if the trees must be brought down, then council needs to install bird boxes and possum boxes, as well as plant more trees in the park.
Mr Kimbel said that council will be continuing with the ongoing planting programs already in place at Jacques Park.
