It was part of a partnership: the road verges were cleared for safety and the indigenous environment was left relatively unscathed. However, after a recent visit by council workers, Ms Tindall believes this pact has now been forgotten.

“The position of vegetation officer no longer exists, and we are back to the Dark Ages of indiscriminate bank slashing and herbicide spraying by an unresponsive council,” she said.

“Boggy Creek residents had a long-standing agreement with council that vegetation be cut by hand, not ripped up by back hoe and slasher … we were even congratulated by council on our vegetation management by a public notice in the Courier-Sun”.

Yet two weeks ago, Ms Tindal said she was “horrified” to discover heavy machinery removing all the ferns, creekside trees (planted by residents with council approval) pushed over, and soil and debris heaped in the watercourse.

“Council urgently needs to review its current mindset of slash and spray. A back hoe is not a suitable tool, or a cost-effective one, to prune branches from trees … not to mention poor notification letters to Shamballa residents about this intended desecration … they were later found under a rock at a largely disused bus stop,” Ms Tindall said.

Council spokesperson Steve Taylor said “council seeks to ensure the roadside environment is not adversely impacted by road maintenance practices.”

“The preservation of significant native vegetation and the control of weeds are an integral part of council’s maintenance practice. 

“In consultation with local school bus operators, council has identified a number of rural roads where roadside vegetation has increased risks to road users by reducing vehicle travel paths and limiting sightlines. The majority of these roadside environments have also negatively impacted council’s ability to deliver adequate road maintenance. 

“Following an assessment of Boggy Creek Rd, it was evident that current vegetation control measures undertaken by residents along some sections of the road are insufficient to address weeds such as lantana and trees over the road which may present a hazard. In addition, vegetation growth along the roadside has impacted council’s ability to maintain roadside drainage systems.

“Prior to the work commencing on Boggy Creek Rd, a community newsletter was distributed on February 27 to residents with letterboxes along the public road. In addition a bundle was also left at the bus shelter at the start of the private road which has been a distribution point used by other agencies. 

“Work started on the section of Boggy Creek Rd, however, unfortunately, the worksite had to be closed down after three hours following a breach in workplace safety when a resident entered the worksite while machinery was in operation.” 

Mr Taylor said council had undertaken an environmental assessment in accordance with the requirements of the NSW Environmental Protection and Assessment Act prior to the Boggy Creek road work.

The Courier-Sun understands Ms Tindall took her complaint to the Environmental Protection Authority and after investigation the council was cleared of any breaches.