The council last week voted to accept the results of a survey, where it asked Berrigan residents to vote for their preferred tree.
The survey saw 40 per cent favouring the Wilga tree, while fellow native tree the Red Flowering Gum received 29 per cent.
Berrigan Tidy Towns & Conservation Group and Berrigan & District Development Association strongly opposed two of the proposed non-native trees, the Chinese Pistachio and Chinese Elm, which both failed to poll more than 20 per cent.
Berrigan Tidy Towns president Mark Ryan said he was happy with the result in favour of Wilgas and believes it was the result of a strong campaign.
‘‘It’s the start of more native tree planting, which we need in Berrigan.
‘‘Berrigan needs to get away from planting exotic trees. By planting native trees we’re using less water, which is important in the climate we have in this area.
‘‘We’ll still campaign with the shire to continue to plant native trees in the town.
‘‘But I would hope it sends a message that Berrigan wants native trees and you don’t need a survey in the future,’’ Mr Ryan said.
Although approved, Berrigan Shire staff voiced their concerns regarding the Wilga in the shire recommendations to council.
According to the report the Wilga ‘‘is as an ornamental or specimen tree that takes upwards of 10 to 15 years to achieve any height and is a tree that is also relatively short lived,’’ living up to about 25 years.
‘‘The council should also consider whether a specimen tree planted as an avenue of street trees... is on balance a decision which going forward will achieve the health and wellbeing benefits associated with sound urban forestry principles and practices,’’ the report read.
‘‘Council officers are concerned that the slow-growing Native Willow (Wilga)... will not for the foreseeable future increase shade cover in Jerilderie Street, hence there will be limited to no appreciable reduction for Jerilderie St residents or pedestrians with respect to heat absorption and radiation during our long dry summers.’’
General manager Rowan Perkins said council staff accept the vote, however did want it noted on the record the issues residents might face with planting Wilga trees.
Mr Ryan said he disagrees with some of the figures put forward in the council report.
‘‘The Wilga is a slow growing tree but it depends on how high the tree is when you plant it.
‘‘We don’t mind that it’s a slow growing tree, because of the powerlines on that side of the street, and it doesn’t grow to a substantial height anyway, which is what we wanted.
‘‘I would suggest the lifespan of 25 years isn’t accurate. We know of Wilga trees in the Jerilderie area that are a lot older than that,’’ Mr Ryan said.
Mr Perkins said planting will most likely occur at the start of winter.
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