IMAGES showing how Laman Street would look in the next 30 years if its figs were removed and others planted have been revealed as civic and community representatives contemplate the future of the trees.
Newcastle City councillors were provided copies yesterday of the artwork, which shows new four-metre high trees on the boulevard.
The images depict trees at six metres in five years, 10 metres in 15 years, and 15 metres in 30 years.
The council’s urban planning and design advisory committee reviewed the artwork on Thursday. Committee member and councillor Bob Cook requested the images be sent to his colleagues ahead of a council meeting tonight.
A motion regarding the Laman Street trees is on the agenda.
Mediation between the council and community activists lobbying to save the trees is scheduled for Thursday.
Cr Cook said the artwork showed nine new figs planted in an avenue to replace the 14 that presently line Laman Street.
A staggered arrangement of trees, root vaults and a trench for underground utilities were part of the new street design, he said.
Cr Cook said the future of the trees was up in air until the council decided what to do and was subject to mediation.
However, lord mayor John Tate said yesterday he was worried that moves were afoot among some councillors to abandon mediation and put a motion tonight to cut down the trees as soon as tomorrow.
‘‘I’m very concerned and very suspicious about what’s going on,’’ Cr Tate said.
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