Don't hold your breathe Caitlan - the trees are doomed. The decision has already been made and the "charette"is another word for charade.

the fig trees must stay. such magnificent species actaully contribute to the value of property and our city. How much would such a magnificent feature cost to develop. Its priceless. Oh and the talk of replanting? I hope that the fact that new plantings/saplings are more than often vandalised and removed and fail to establish. I sincerely hope this is taken into account in any consultation.

Believe me, the least of Laman street's problems are the beautiful trees, they are its saviours from being a complete ruin. The neglect of the Civic Park Fountain, AIF Memorial and barricaded blocked pathways covered in crap is a disgrace! NCC spent over $1M completely buggering this beautiful sculpture fountain, its copper layers are corroding, covered in rubbish. It doesn't work anymore. Where are the brides and grooms? This Town complains about the bogan youth that are vandalising the place; they are our sons and daughters. This Council sanctioned neglect teaches our young heirs that we value nothing except money. Until our civic and business leaders get it, we're all screwed. They want workshops? It's obvious. Clean the place up Council and stop allowing our city to die from neglect. Employ someone that actually works for a living.

Interesting how Mr Johnston dismisses the radar report because of the trenching finding. The trenching was done several years before the talk of felling the trees came up. I think it was done to give ammunition to developers/builders/council/consultants who presumably felt the trees would be in the way of their erection of an over-priced gallery. If they have so much faith in the trenching report why did they waste taxpayers' money on getting the radar in? I'll tell you why - so they could rush about telling us there were deficient roots. They wouldn't have hidden this report if it suited their purpose. Now they've sent it off to the arborist who did the trenching - what does he know about radars? It obviously takes a while for them to work out how to put the right spin on the report since it arrived at council weeks ago. Council told me only a week ago I could only have a copy of the report by submitting a freedom of information request.Anyway, I look forward to reading it.

The kindest cut sees Hyde Park lose more diseased fig trees September 28, 2009 THREE more of Hyde Park's grand figs will get the chop this morning, after being deemed unsafe owing to disease. The Hyde Park Tree Management Plan, which was adopted almost three years ago, will see all the trees of Central Avenue eventually removed and replaced in a series of stages over the next few years because they are diseased and ageing. A City of Sydney arborist, Karen Sweeney, said of the three diseases affecting the trees, the biggest problem was ''phellinus'' which, despite appearing healthy on the outside, caused the inside to decay. ''Because the tree doesn't have that internal support, it's likely to fall over,'' she said. Seven trees have fallen over or lost branches since 2002. The council removed 22 in the avenue in 2005 and two more in 2006. ''Originally the Central Avenue had about 140 trees in it … we're left with about 101,'' she said. And as of today there will be just 98. Only trees that are a safety threat are being removed.

"Newcastle City Council infrastructure manager confirmed that the radar survey indicated the presence of roots but said the council had dug at some spots without finding any." Wow, go buy a lotto ticket asap! Council found roots under a tree. This is amazing! Just as amazing as looking under the table at a dinner party & finding people have legs. Saving Our Trees Marrickville

Ground penetrating radar is not very precise or accurate, it also cannot determine the integrity of the wood. There's thermal imaging cameras that can help as you can see the vascular flow and similar to an MRI machine get an indication of dysfunctional areas including decay and hollows. Perhaps some light excavation of the surface to trace buttress roots but not damage or undermine them would allow a variety of measuring techniques including thermal imaging, resistograph and core samples. Fungal pathogens can be mitigated using a non toxic biological agent, trichoderma, an in turn the trees can have some defense to decay. Strategic pruning of canopies for form and weight reduction in conjunction with fall arrest dynamic cables can mitigate the dropping branch concern. You realise that in the end the treatment is about the same, in New Farm Park in Brisbane trees fell like dominoes for 18 months after spending $90K on diagnostic investigation, at the end of the day after that investigation the treatment is pretty much the same as if the investigation never happened ... to tree people it's common sense. Gathering data is OK for reference and to find higher risk trees.

will these pruning fit in the new green waste bins?

Council are foolish and uneducated and should be knitting jumpers than working for the people in this city,the most beautiful and welcoming parts of Newcastle and they want to destroy it,get real you idiots.

these beautiful trees are one of newcastles best assets. To contemplate removal without some sort of tangible, proven & overwhelming reason is just stupid & outrageous. All avenues must be exhausted before such action is approved & undertaken . For goodness sake why hasnt Newcastle City Council got at the very least a significant tree register?!Ace up your Act not your Axe!