The impasse over 14 trees in Laman Street, Cooks Hill, brewing for more than year, is proving a stumbling block for Newcastle councillors half way through their term.

Some are worried about repeating the mistakes of past councils that took three years to remove a rock from Shortland Esplanade and went $1 million over budget restoring Newcastle Ocean Baths.

The latest saga started in May 2009 with a council report saying the Laman Street figs posed a public safety risk and should be replaced.

After decisions made and reversed, consultation and more reports, the matter is to be considered again next month.

Lord mayor John Tate said the council had "pussyfooted around for months" and must act now.

"If council doesn't make a decision about this and stick with it and implement it, this is a valid comparison with the rock on the Esplanade that sat there for so long," he said.

"And I'm disappointed that council's allowed itself to get into this situation when all that was required was a clear decision."

Cr Aaron Buman served with with Cr Tate and Michael Osborne on the present and previous council of 2004-08.

He said the incumbents that started as a strong decision making group were wavering.

"The thing that concerns me over all of this is it will affect on the ratepayer because. . .decisions aren't getting made," he said.

Pressure from vocal minorities was a problem, Cr Buman said.

Cr Osborne said a lack of information to make evidence-based decisions was to blame.

Cr Nuatali Nelmes said the situation was ridiculous given that the council requested a staged removal in May, but received subsequent reports about cutting down all the figs.

"I think the other councillors banging on about it are grandstanding."

Cr Sharon Claydon said the council had been consulting the community, which was never a waste of time. But it could move forward.

"The last thing I would want to see is for us to remain in this limbo land," she said.