On Tuesday morning, Council announced that work had ceased temporarily in a release

'Some residents have expressed concern about these works. This is understandable as the trees are mature and provide shade,' the release said.

'Moving forward, Council intends to replant shade trees and revegetate the banks of the creek with native vegetation.

'Given Council's responsibility in the management of Farmers Creek, it is necessary to undertake this work. However, the work has been paused for the moment to inform the community about the necessity for the works.'

Council also said that the trees were removed the trees after many of them were identified to be in poor condition and prone to falling.

'Council has identified issues with the Golden Robinia trees which are non-native, environmental weeds. Many are in poor condition, rotted inside and are at risk of cracking and falling. In addition to this, Golden Robinia trees are very prone to suckering once their roots are damaged. As Golden Robinia trees can sprout suckers from their roots at a considerable distance from the parent plant, they may cause problems in adjacent properties,' the release said.

Lithgow Mayor Ray Thompson confirmed that work has stopped and that consultation with residents will take place.

"At the moment we've stopped the work on that. The trees we're removing are weeds but we're going to do some public consultation with the people there, it will still go ahead but there will be some meetings with residents," Mayor Thompson said.

"There are a lot more residents there that want it cleaned up that have an issue with them being removed but we're making sure that we will talk to the residents about what is happening."

John Kesby has lived in the area for two years and said he moved to the area because of the trees and is disappointed that they've been destroyed.

"These trees have been here for decades, they are really crucial for the community because they're the only shade we have in the area, it's a significant bird habitat and it's also used as a recreation area," he said.

"We have picnics there and walk our dogs there and it provides a bit of a screen from the road opposite us to stop the noise and from the trucks going down the hill on Bells Line of Road."

"It really did form a central part of the community and now the trees are all going. This morning we all woke up and - some of the people here were in tears - these trees are so loved and such a local feature. So we're really disappointed that Council didn't talk to us at all, they haven't mentioned it to us, we didn't get any notice."

"They're getting rid of trees that everyone in the neighbourhood has come to appreciate. If it wasn't so ridiculous it'd be funny," added Wayde Braund who has lived in the area since 2018.

Lithgow Councillor Cass Coleman said she is disappointed at the lack of transparency from Council.

"I'm really disappointed in the lack of response in regard to community consultation about these trees," Cr Coleman said.

"We need leadership on this issue. The community needs to understand why the trees are removed, they should have been consulted. I understand they're on a public reserve, but out of courtesy for those who live in Oakey Park and have grown up with these trees, they should have been consulted."