Penford and Central Ranges Gas plan to share the trench route, which traverses Calala Lane and Marsden Park Rd.

Though council stated its intention to ensure the trees were protected, both companies believe no threat was ever intended.

Penford Australia operations manager Henry Segerius welcomed the in-principle support for the pipeline, which would be designed to carry wastewater from the company's Scott Rd treatment plant to a proposed effluent re-use farm, Whitebox Farm, on Marsden Park Rd.

Now council's "in principle" support had been given, Mr Segerius said Penford would submit a joint development application for its new farm plans and pipeline.

"We hope to have that ready in the next couple of weeks, but there would never have been any intention to pick a route that would impact on those trees," Mr Sergerius said.

"We've always been fully aware of the trees there, and there was never any intention to disturb them."

Central Ranges pipeline manager Gary Green agreed, saying no route selected would impinge on the existing trees or their root systems.

"An alternative path would also be sourced if we thought the trees may be under threat – even if it meant we have to go down the middle of the road and cause temporary traffic delays, then so be it."

Mr Green said the new gas line would extend as far as Farrer and the NSW Department of Primary Industries research station.

"We also intended to head out that way, so it's good news that we can make the best of a situation with a combined trench with Penford."

The call to confirm council's protection of the tree-lined lane came from Cr Tongue, who said he'd looked at the report and was worried the path selected and the nominated distance from the boundary fence may create

problems.

"It would be bloody criminal if those trees had to be lost for the sake of this route, so I think we better make sure none of those trees are to be removed," Mr Tongue said during council.

Cr Tongue said he was confident other routes would be sourced if there was a threat.

"I don't want to hold up or stop the pipeline plans from going ahead, but I thought it important that we emphasise the need to protect the trees," he said.

Calala Community Development Committee chairman Jim Booth welcomed the news, but said the loss of trees to an earlier development should have been prevented as well.

"It's nice to see this action from council, but it should be noted that it was at council's request that trees at the western end of the grove be removed to widen the road near the new Calala Estate," Mr Booth said.