ESSENTIAL Energy has taken responsibility for damage done to the Lone Pine memorial on the corner of Bathurst Road and Lone Pine Avenue.
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The Central Western Daily was alerted to the work on Tuesday afternoon, where contractors removed its upper eastern branches, and mayor Reg Kidd asked Orange City Council staff to contact Essential Energy on Tuesday night.
READ ALSO: Mayor defends tree’s honour
Cr Kidd said Essential did not consult the council before the work was done, despite the protective wall around the memorial and signage.
“It was horror,” he said of his reaction to the tree’s condition.
“It’s like going to have a nose operation and taking off your ear.”
The Orange RSL sub-branch holds a Anzac Day service at the site to remember the Battle of Lone Pine where Orange solider John Patrick Hamilton earned a Victoria Cross.
Senior vice-president Chris Colvin described the work as tree vandalism and “absolute sacrilege”.
“It’s not a cenotaph, it’s a memorial, but to us, it’s sacred ground,” he said.
Mr Colvin said the species was not the most attractive and very few grew straight.
“But it doesn’t matter how ugly it is, it’s not to be denuded like this,” he said.
Cr Kidd met with Essential Energy staff on Wednesday morning where he said he received an apology and an assurance the tree’s shape would be restored – he commended staff for their quick response.
Essential Energy northern region manager Mark Summers reiterated the apology, saying the offence was unintentional.
“Following this morning’s meeting with council, we will engage an arborist to further assess the vegetation works and provide advice on any remediation required,” he said.
“Essential Energy is currently reviewing engineering options for this location, which may be considered as alternatives to ongoing pruning.
“A further meeting has been scheduled tomorrow morning between all parties to ensure greatest respect is shown to the area and to the servicemen and women remembered at this location.”
Mr Summers said Essential had a legislated responsibility to keep trees clear of powerlines, otherwise they posed a risk of bushfires, property damage, injury and power outages, and contractors removed branches growing towards the lines.