O’Connell residents Brian and Lynette Charlton have written to the Oberon Council expressing their concern over the widening chasm between those in the community who support the removal of the trees and widening of the road for safety reasons, and those who wish to preserve the remaining trees and argue that the safety problems could be rectified by a number of different alterations, such as lowering the speed limit.

In their letter to the Oberon Council, Mr. and Mrs. Charlton have supported the removal of the trees, suggesting that the trees be removed and replanted simultaneously with suitable advanced trees.

“We believe that to keep the integrity of what constitutes an avenue, it needs uniform growth”, they said.

Mr. and Mrs. Charlton also support the idea of having a sealed walking/bicycle track where suitable plaques could be placed and dedicated.

Mr. and Mrs. Charlton have also made an excellent suggestion to Oberon Council in the form of a project to draw the O’Connell community together.

The 6th and 7th of December 2013 will be the Bicentenary of the naming of the O’Connell Plains and Fish River by Assistant Surveyor George Evans and his party of four men, and Mr. and Mrs. Charlton have recommended this event is an opportunity to celebrate as a community.

“We would like to see something special done for this occasion”, they said.

Mr. and Mrs. Charlton have suggested that the piece of land adjacent to Mutton Falls Road be developed into a Rest Area and ‘Heritage’ Park, with a simple monument and plantings. They believe that if possible the park could be joined with the continuation of the walking/bicycle track to the ‘Memorial’ park by the bridge.

“The two rest areas thus created would give the general public a place to take a break and enjoy our history”, they said.

“Hopefully the planning of such a project and bicentennial celebrations would help to unite our residents once more”, Mr. and Mrs. Charlton said.

It was decided that last Tuesday’s Council meeting that Mr. and Mrs. Charlton’s suggestion be referred to the Roads and Traffic Authority (RTA) for its consideration to any works that may be carried out at the O’Connell Avenue of Trees.