Wagga City Council has said it had no choice but to to remove a large tree from Bolton Park on Monday due to safety concerns.
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Council workers chainsawed away parts of the trunk, which had grown out at a sideways angle, before bringing the whole tree down just before 11am.
The tree was located near the Tarcutta and Morgan streets roundabout and near a popular area for school groups to hold outdoor activities.
Wagga council announced the removal via social media a few hours before council workers moved in.
“Please take care near Bolton Park this morning as Council crews work to remove a tree due to a significant fracture in the trunk,” the council posted on its twitter account.
Council commercial operations director Caroline Angel said the tree’s removal was not related to drought conditions.
“Staff have been monitoring this tree as well as others due to its growth habit to lean over the oval.
“A staff member reported the tree’s risk of failure early on Monday morning.
“Failure was imminent due to two vertical stress fractures on the tensions side of the tree.
“Council’s tree team secured the area and felled the tree after 9.30am when vehicular and pedestrian traffic was light.”
Wagga cricket coach Warren Smith said the tree’s removal highlighted the need for more amenities at Bolton Park.
“We need more seats and shade for the elderly,” he said.
“I just got back from Albury and they have shade everywhere. You should see the facilities.They are leaving us for dead.
“We should have those carnivals there over three days with the revenue and everything for Wagga, but we haven’t got the facilities.”
Ms Angel said Bolton Park Master Plan has been developed to identify the park’s needs and would be presented to a future council meeting.
Mr Smith said he had met with the council about the impending Bolton Park Master Plan.
Wagga Council late last month removed two trees on Edward Street opposite Wagga Base Hospital because they were “affecting vision for motorists”.
Ms Angel said it was the council’s policy to remove trees when required based on their independent audit status to ensure there was no risk to community safety.
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