Geoff Helisma | Clarence Valley Council (CVC) has recently commenced work on upgrading the riverfront adjacent to the Maclean Courthouse and northwards along the riverbank, where a promenade will be constructed – the work is funded by a $1.8million federal grant. Over the past week, CVC workers have cut down or trimmed several trees, which has raised the ire of some Maclean locals, as evidenced on several posts on the Clarence Valley Rate Payers, Residents & Business Owners Facebook site. One of the complainants was Cr Greg Clancy, who is also the Greens candidate for the state seat of Clarence. “I am disgusted and angry that council has done this unforgivable act, if that is what has happened,” he posted (Cr Clancy had not visited the construction site). “…When alerted to the fact that [the trees] were being felled I immediately contacted the general manager who said that he would investigate. “During an inspection of the site with other councillors and staff a while back I pointed out the importance of the Forest Red Gums … which form part of an endangered ecological community. Councillor Clancy told the Independent that he was in the process of “taking the matter up with the mayor”. Mayor Jim Simmons acknowledged there were concerns regarding removal of trees. However, he said, “It is part of the riverfront improvement plan. “There are a lot of differing views in the community; not all are opposed to what the council is doing – it’s a major project as part of the plan to open up the riverfront behind the commercial area.” Meanwhile, a CVC spokesperson told the Independent that approval was not required for removal of the trees, as per the Review of Environmental Factors (REF) associated with the project, which states, in part, that consent is not required for works associated with flood mitigation and on parks and reserves when carried out by or on behalf of a public authority. The REF states that “five trees and two palms require removal, which, if associated with the undertaking of exempt development for the purpose of Clause 66, would have to be a separate approval process”. The council spokesperson said in an emailed response: “That’s an internal approval process and generally involves ensuring any tree stock that is to be removed is replaced with at least (usually more) stock.” The council plans to plant twelve 200mm Casuarina equisetifolias, twenty-two 100 litre Cupaniopsis anacardioides, seventeen 100 litre Brachychiton acerifolius and twelve 100 litre Harpullia pendula, as part of the redevelopment. Work is expected to be completed by April 2019.