The trees and saplings, mainly poplars, were cut down by contractors last week between Blackshaw Rd and Mundy St.

An Australian Rail Track Corporation spokesman confirmed the trees were removed from a stretch owned by the State Government.

He said ARTC had liaised with the council about their removal; however, a council spokesman said the council did not have input into the decision nor was it advised of the impending removal. 

The ARTC said the trees were cut down after an arboriculturist’s assessment and report.

“The report recommended the removal of the trees due to poor health and structural faults which posed a potential risk due to the likelihood of limb failure that may result in harm to person or property,” the ARTC spokesman said.

“We did liaise with the council regarding the works and were not advised of any concerns. The removal was also in response to community [members] who had raised concerns about the condition of the trees and potential risk they posed to pedestrians and the nearby overhead power line.”

He said the majority had been mulched and would be distributed in the rail yard.

The larger stumps had also been removed. At this stage there are no plans to replace the trees.

“We would like to thank the community for their patience with us while we delivered the work during the week. We recognise it was noisy and disruptive work,” the spokesman said.

It comes after the removal of an established avenue of plane trees in Bradley St in February and several from Auburn St this year and last. 

The council argued plane trees were unsuited to the urban environment and will be replacing many of them with Manchurian Pears.

Goulburn Mazda owner/manager Kieran Davies is footing the cost of replacing the Bradley St trees with Manchurian Pears and Chinese Star Jasmine under-planting.

He expected the four- to five-metre pears to be planted in spring.

“The trees are grown, but on hold while the council is doing reparation to the road surface and guttering,” Mr Davies said.

The council is also undertaking investigations ahead of extensive repairs to stormwater infrastructure under the road.

Mr Davies had complained that the tree roots were blocking the pipe, causing flooding in his business when it rained heavily.