Mr Woodley said that turning the heritage road into a thoroughfare to Calala “is inevitable” and he wants to see the planning for that begin by changing the type and position of the Oak trees that are currently being replaced.

“The trees are all full of rot and are dying, planting new ones is not the point,” Mr Woodley said.

“People have got to get over the heritage – we will be replacing heritage with heritage.” 

The East Tamworth resident would like TRC to implement a ten to 15-year plan to replace the English Oaks with Holm Oaks as needed, such as are in Bourke St, and place them further back from the road to allow for future works. “The people that protested the roadworks said that the trees can’t be moved because of the powerlines,” Mr Woodley said.

“Holm Oaks are a lot tougher. They can be trimmed by the power companies and still be healthy – the Holm Oaks on Bourke St were planted in the 1870s and have been cut ever since the power lines went in.” 

“There is no reason why it can’t happen, the road is inevitable – council needs to get the balls to plan for the future.” 

Mr Woodley would also like some consideration put into the road not just honouring King George V, but also Queen Elizabeth II, as “she is the longest reigning monarch ever”.

Recently TRC formed a King George V Avenue Committee. Director Planning and Compliance Peter Thompson said the avenue is no longer being investigated as an alternate route to Calala.

“Last month Council welcomed $30,000 under the State Government’s Heritage Grants Program to implement the King George V Avenue Conservation Management Plan,” Mr Thompson said. “The program has listed the avenue of English Oaks as an item of heritage significance; this means that when the existing trees die they must be replaced with English Oaks.”