While much of the focus has been on the threat posed to 46 mature English oaks on the road’s southern side, 10 old river red gums sitting on a dirt lane off the avenue also face the chop.

The trees would be removed to make way for a road from the proposed 500-home Peel River Estate to the city through Campbell Rd at Calala and King George V Ave.

The gums sit in between Barry and Margaret John’s property and that of Theo, Carmel and Joseph Madirazza, who are campaigning to save them for what they say is their environmental and historical significance.

“Everybody’s making a song and dance about the oaks; what about the red gums?” Mr John said.

He said it was not fair the trees should be cut down to accommodate a development, and believed there were alternatives available to the developer.

The big gums are thought to be at least 200 years old, with one resident estimating they could even be 400 years old.

At least one has a circumference of more than six metres at the base of its trunk.

Mrs John said the trees were home to many species of native birds, including cockatoos, corellas, rosellas and galahs, particularly during the breeding season. Mr John said he also needed the trees to shade his cattle.

Community members have been battling against the proposed road and associated tree removal since 2010. The development controls for the proposed estate will soon go on public exhibition.