Orange City Council approved a 16-lot subdivision off William Maker Drive, but it involved protecting just 11 of the 88 trees on site. 

Council staff noted the habitat was an endangered box gum grassy woodland ecological community.

Environmentally Concerned Citizens of Orange president Nick King said the woodland habitat was rare and it was disappearing for possums and parrots.

“There have been attempts to put up nesting boxes,” Mr King said.

“But if there’s no trees to put the boxes in, it’s very hard.

“It’s disappointing that so many have been removed, but we don’t have a lot of choice in this area – most of the legislation is on the side of developers.”

Mr King said tree bonds paid to council would ensure trees are protected.

The bond would require the land owner to pay council a sum per tree, and the money would then be returned if the tree remained intact for an agreed amount of time.

If the tree did not remain intact the land owner would forfeit their money.

Deputy mayor Joanne McRae was also concerned about the tree loss.

She said residents who built their homes in the estate would have a “sea of rooves” for 15 years.

“Trees provide the amenity of a neighbourhood that we expect in an established part of the city,” she said. 

Councillor Stephen Nugent moved a deferral to reduce the number of lots, but was voted down.

Other councillors argued eucalyptus trees were not ideal for residential areas.

Mayor Reg Kidd said councillors had lost the battle years ago and had already let the bulk of the trees go. 

“Land should have been set aside for environmental purposes,” he said.

Development services director David Waddell said staff were working on a bond mechanism.

He said it would would be put to the council. 

The developer will be required to plant 26 apple box gums, four yellow box gums and six white box gums.