We returned to Bellingen after lunch but could not hide from the background noise of tree-removing machinery. 

At last by four o’clock the executions and dismemberment was over and silence returned to the town. 

But that was not the end of it.

Shortly before seven o’clock in the evening I was standing on the corner of Oak and William when I heard the sound of a large number of birds crying out as they flew towards me in the dark. 

It was quite disturbing and for a moment I thought I was back on the set of the old Hitchcock movie ‘The Birds’. 

They continued up William Street and as they passed overhead I saw in the street-light a huge flock of what appeared to be Lorikeets, all crying out – not the normal call of Lorikeets massing but calls of distress.

They passed by at speed and circled a couple of times north of Oak Street before their cries faded away into the darkness. I have never seen Lorikeets flying en masse in such numbers, and in darkness, and with such cries.  These birds were clearly very disturbed and agitated.  Then I realised what it was all about. 

These were the birds that normally roosted in the Camphor Laurels in Church Street.  They had returned after dusk to roost as usual only to find their habitat destroyed, their homes gone. 

With night upon them and not knowing where to go, no wonder they were so distressed.

There are environmental regulations regarding the displacement of native fauna from their normal habitat, but obviously these were not a matter of concern in this instance. A sad end to a sad day.

I am outraged and deeply distressed at the forced removal of the camphor laurels in Church Street against the wishes of the community. 

I am a Green and I cannot believe Dominic King is so politically inept. He had a great chance as our first Green mayor to really perform well, be inclusive and bring those in the community on side. 

I voted for Dominic, but will never vote green again after this. He has let the whole Green movement down, bringing in chainsaws and the riot squad! 

Can't get much more non-Green than that. It was heartbreaking to see. The town beautification project is a waste of money. We already had a beautiful town, with 100+ year old trees. 

The Youtube video shows a phoney constructed town that is ugly and unnatural and will require vast sums to upkeep all these garden areas. 

The Council should be spending this vast amount of money on our NEEDS - each week I drive to the recycling centre the road is riddled with big potholes on a dangerous bend, the back of the Diggers’ carpark is the same, permanently riddled with potholes that never get fixed. We need more parking spaces, not less. 

I could go on.  

This will be our last green mayor. The camphor laurels will be missed on 40 degree days. It will take decades to get shade cover again.  What we have now is ugly.