Maxine EvansA South Otago woman says she is "disappointed and disillusioned" after her final appeal to prevent the felling of two trees was dismissed in court earlier this month. The trees in Balclutha's Christie St reserve — a 70-year-old sequoia and oak — have been at the centre of a dispute between Balclutha resident Maxine Evans and Clutha District Council that began in August 2018. Three different arborists have looked at the trees and said they’re safe, and yet here we are. She said she did not regret challenging the council’s decision, and remained involved in a council-partnered project upgrading Balclutha’s Naish Park. Clutha Mayor Bryan Cadogan acknowledged Mrs Evans’ right to challenge the council’s decision — which had been taken due to the safety concerns of neighbours — but described the situation as "frustrating".

Source: Otago Daily Times February 14, 2020 15:33 UTC