MEMBERS of the Save Boomerang Park action group have labelled the felling last Thursday of five healthy, mature trees in the park as "an act of vandalism".
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"In just over an hour years of heritage and habitat has gone," said the group's president Jillian Lye, in response to the tree felling by Port Stephens Council to make way for a new playground.
"In 21.6 hectares of park, you would think that proper planning process would have selected a more suitable site, not requiring the loss of trees, habitat and history.
"If a member of the public was to have undertaken this act [they] would have been charged and fined. Boomerang Park is just that; a park not a development site."
On July 9, the Examiner reported that the council was set to begin preliminary works on a new playground precinct for Boomerang Park with "the removal of five trees, with the timing set in order to minimise disturbance to the bird nesting season".
A council spokeswoman confirmed that the trees removed were two eucalyptus and three pines.
"The removed trees will be replaced at a ratio of 10 to 1 which will mean 50 more trees will be planted in Boomerang Park," the spokeswoman said.
Ms Lye said the group would demand a halt to all works.
"If the council is allowed to get away with its 'overall improvement of this magnificent site' it will render about a sixth of the park available for recreation and will cause unmeasurable habitat loss of over 100 trees."