Essentially it’s a matter of sentimentality, spirit and the perception of what it means to be a local in the Valley – now and into the future.

Today’s (April 29) rally at the base of the trees was attended by locals and tourists, who by and large were in favour of keeping the camphor laurels – certainly, no one spoke for council’s decision to take the trees down tomorrow. 

Those gathered heard from a number of speakers all saying they felt the town would lose its character and soul – that we as people would be worse off.

Some vocal critics ventured further blaming the council for a perceived lack of community consultation, a failure of due process and despite all the councillors and three consecutive councils voting in favour of taking the trees down, much hostility was lobbed mayor Dominic King’s way, as well as fellow Greens’ councillor, Jennie Fenton’s. 

Indeed the crowd was a mix of strange bedfellows. Only last year many of those present were actively and vocally campaigning for the Greens’ team. Their success led to three green councillors being voted in.

And now, not even a year on, a number of these key supporters were not only shocked and angered by the Greens councillors, they were championing the likes of well-known, slightly “redneck” Darcey Browning.  

The sense that councillors have failed those present, was only exceeded by the feeling that Bellingen Shire Council had failed them too. 

Many spoke of the feeling that they had not been heard, alternatives had not been thoroughly examined and, moreover, this was a system that was being played out time and time again. 

The meeting was scheduled for between 8-9am, but speakers queued to exceed the one hour time limit.

And all the while, kids clambered over the tree trunks – perhaps for the second last day ever.

Resident Samantha Bond has claimed that today, coach mayor Dominic King, was harassed by a group of people.

She wrote on the various Shire Facebook pages, including the Bellingen Shire Courier-Sun, that the event occurred on the way to a local soccer match.

“Oh Bellingen who are you?

“I am absolutely DISGUSTED after the event that just occurred outside Amelia Franklins. Myself, my five-year-old and three, 14-year-old girls, stopped off to get coffee on our way to soccer.

“As we were leaving a small group of men aggressively arrived with a chainsaw and walked towards the mayor (and also our girls’ soccer coach) threatening and yelling.

“Not only was I upset but my five-year-old was shaking from the noise of the chainsaw and the yelling. Not to mention the three teen girls shaken to see such an event especially aimed at their coach.

“I have always been proud to call Bellingen home as an embracing and inclusive community, but after seeing today’s vile behaviour and the escalating hate and aggression, I can say this no more.”