The decision to remove them follows the collapse of one tree on the lake’s island on December 18, forcing the council to block off access over safety concerns.

Read more: Access blocked in Alexandra Gardens due to safety risk.

A full arborist report was commissioned to assess any further safety risks and it found that the tree that fell, as well as the other trees, were affected by wet rot. 

The rot caused the tree to fall and to undermine the stability of the others.

Ararat Rural City Council staff worked with a private contractor, and council staff worked to chip branches and chainsaw logs to support the contractor.

The trees were removed without incident and no damage was done to any surrounding infrastructure, like the bridge and furniture.

Ararat Rural City Council chief officer Dr Tim Harrison said the removal had gone very smoothly.

“This was a great collaboration between a local business and council, and we couldn’t be happier with how the work has gone,” Dr Harrison said.

“The contractor found the trees were very unsafe so it was timely they were removed.

“Council will now work on a landscaping plan to replant the island and we’d really appreciate feedback from the community on how they would like to see the area look.”

Council can be contacted at council@ararat.vic.gov.au, or via their Facebook post.

All walking paths in the gardens were re-opened Friday afternoon but the island would still be fenced off and no public access allowed for the time being.

Dr Harrison thanked the public for their patience with access restrictions during the work.

“Visitors to the gardens were really understanding and we appreciate that,” he said.

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