Residents Janice Borney and Robin Donnelly pointed out that new information had been received, indicating that in 1926 the avenue was opened by Field Marshall Lord Edmund Allenby and dedicated to the memory of soldiers killed in World War One.

Mayor Hooper said the decision was for the RTA to make.

Councillor Handelsmann noted that Lord Allenby was a very distinguished soldier and the new information puts to rest any doubt about whether or not the avenue is indeed and ANZAC memorial.

Cr Sullivan,on the other hand, pointed out that Allenby was British not Australian, and any new information should go to the RSL.

Ms Borney responded by reminding councillors that the Australian forces in World War One fought under British command.

Ms Donnelly added that since the avenue was a twice-dedicated memorial (1926 and again in 2001), recognised as such by the NSW Premier’s office, the trees are important and should be preserved.

She asked why could the trees not be retained by therapeutic pruning and the speed limit lowered?

The Mayor replied that it was a matter for the RTA, and there would be an opportunity for the public to comment when the RTA responds to Council.

Cr Dawson noted that the problem was complicated by the fact that Council owns the trees but the RTA owns the road.

Council finally decided to refer the new historical information to both the RTA and the RSL, asking whether it would have any influence on the decision about the fate of the trees.