Various people have expressed their concerns to council, but residents Cheryl and Peter Smith say they are unhappy with the response they have received from the organisation.

The couple first expressed their concerns in a letter sent to council last month.

“Council have made up their minds and unfortunately the tree planting was going ahead, even after we made it quite clear that we were against the planting of a tree in front of our property,” Mrs Smith said.

Other residents of Maude Street, Colin and Ngaire Simms, are also against any tree-planting planned for the footpath at the front of their property, pointing out that there was already an established park of trees on the corner of their street and Una Avenue.

Resident Angela Degiglio said she preferred to have the front of her house open and without trees to continue feeling “safe and secure.”

The tree-planting program is a part of streetscape plans in place for both Maude Street and Amelia Street, but to date no objections have been received from residents of Amelia Street.

The parks and recreation supervisor was verbally harassed by two of the objectors while he was determining the location of the trees to be planted on Maude Street, despite working in what they have determined to be in the community’s best interest.

Council suggested benefits of tree-planting in the street would include:

*Temperature abatement by enabling green canopies to lower city temperature.

*Infrastructure longevity from the shade that is expected to extend the life of the adjoining road-base and reduce maintenance.

*Wind-breaks anticipated to lessen the impacts of storms.

*Street beautification and for the provision of a general community benefit for the long-term, irrespective of individual perspectives.

Councilwas said to be in the process of seeking direction on the continuation of the planting in these streets.