Chamber opposed removal of palms

I refer to the Forum letter by Keith Whitfield (Peninsula News, 15 Oct 2007) regarding the removal of the cabbage tree palm trees at the Woy Woy Library.

Mr Whitfield mistakenly believes that the removal of the palm trees is due to the Ettalong Beach Foreshore Improvement Works which are due to start early next year.

In fact, the removal of the palms trees has nothing to do with Ettalong.

Council's decision to remove the cabbage tree palms is as a result of supposed damage to the library brickwork as the palms have grown.

The Chamber of Commerce in fact opposed their removal as we believed that this would detract from the appearance of Library forecourt and incur considerable expense to the ratepayer.

However, the Council could not be swayed and the trees were to be removed and replanted in Gosford.

However, as the cabbage tree palms we planted under the 1998 Financial Strategy from funds for the Peninsula, the Chamber opposed their removal to Gosford and insisted that they be utilised for streetscaping elsewhere in our local town centres.

Being indigenous to the area, Council agreed to their use as part of the Ettalong Beach streetscaping works.

Thankfully, the palms will stay on the Peninsula or perhaps Mr Whitfield would prefer them to go to Gosford.

Matthew Wales Umina Beach