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I understand some had been established for a few years, and if so, and the roots remain in the ground, they actually have a second chance.

When the rains come there should be considerable regrowth and perhaps at this stage the value of some of them, if not all, can be re-evaluated.

Peter Dodd, Chatswood

HANG YOUR HEAD IN SHAME

The entire Upper Harbour Local Board should hang their heads in shame. Regardless of whether they voted for or against mowing down the Sanders Reserve native plantings, the destruction happened on their watch.

Trees planted by the community could have been removed for free by the community. Using expense as an excuse is risible when the board has already cost ratepayers $16,813 for the plants and $14,000 to mow most of them down. How many hours did the mower take to earn $14,000? Pitifully few compared to the volunteers who put in 3450 hours for free.

The six board members, three of whom have been funded by ratepayers for many years, should resign and contribute an equivalent number of hours to community service.

Then they should work off the wasted $30,000 cost to rateypayers for free, about 1500 hours at the minimum wage rate. That should fill their spare time nicely, as they are unlikely to ever be voted back into local council positions.

J Couldridge, Albany