At Tuesday night’s meeting, councillors resolved to make a submission on the intended listing, highlighting the avenue’s heritage value, the community interest in it, “the relatively poor state of some of the trees”, and “the strategic importance of the road for the city in future years”. The submission will also cover the need for financial support from the Heritage Council to manage the avenue, with exemptions sought under the listing including pruning, maintenance and removal of dangerous trees and limbs, a request for further information on the council’s future obligations, and the possible resumption of land to install underground powerlines to protect the trees.

The recommendation put to the council outlined the suggested contents of the submission but was amended by the councillors at the prompting of councillor Mark Rodda, to remove reference to a replanting regime to facilitate the future widening of the road, change the lines “the relatively poor state of the trees” and “the strategic importance of the road access for the city in future years”, and add the point to consider the resumption of land.

Cr Rodda told The Leader he believed the amended points had been contrary to the potential heritage listing.

He wanted to retain the avenue because he valued the city’s heritage, he said.

Resident and advocate David McKinnon said the listing would likely not go ahead without the council’s support.

“We’re just so incredibly grateful to the council that they were able to respond to the community’s wishes,” Mr McKinnon said.

He credited the wider Tamworth community with the success so far of the push to preserve the avenue.

East Tamworth resident Steve Warden is among those fighting for the avenue to remain intact.

“I think the councillors have made a very difficult decision, but the correct decision,” Mr Warden said.

The report to the council recommended the Heritage Council encourage the removal of powerlines along the avenue, as they were the reason for the lopping of the trees, to shift them underground – a proposal that was supported by campaigners. The report also said the council’s horticultural staff believed many trees would die in the next 20 to 50 years.

But Robin Gunning, a principal research scientist with the Department of Primary Industries, said beetle damage was associated with human damage, and better care would improve their health.

“It’s just one of the most beautiful places in Tamworth and I’d like to see it preserved for all of us,” she said.

The listing on the State Heritage Register would limit the work that could be undertaken without approval from the Heritage Council.

Once listed, Tamworth Regional Council could be eligible for funding of up to $4000 on a dollar-for-dollar basis to develop a management plan, and could also apply for grants of up to $75,000 to undertake works on the site.

The avenue has already been included on the NSW National Trust register and has been put forward for the National Trust of Australia significant tree register.

Public submissions on the proposed listing can be made until July 18 at www.heritage.nsw.gov.au