The “Lest we forget” sign was a reference to the fact the pines were among about 100 planted 40 years ago in an avenue of rememberance in honour of fallen soldiers.

Dalmeny resident Peter Bernard who has made public his and others concern about the proposed cutting down of the trees said those who made the sign did not want to be identified.

But they wanted it known they were not opposed to the cycleway, rather they would have preferred for the route to be directed around the trees they said had historic significance.

“The sign was made and put up by a group of residents as a silent reminder against their removal and the precedent it has set,” he said.

Discussion between residents and Eurobodalla Shire Council workers did take place at the site of the tree felling along Dalmeny Drive with the sign being taken down only to be replaced before eventually being removed.

The trees were planted by the community with the road between Narooma/Kianga and Dalmeny only completed in 1968.

Mr Bernard said his research indicated the trees were planted after the Dalmeny Progress Association and local benefactor EM Jonas presented a cheque to a local councillor to purchase and plant the trees.

Another donation was made to the council in 1971 for further trees to be planted to form what is known as the Dalmeny Narooma Memorial drive as an ANZAC memorial.

He counted 63 trees remaining and it was unclear whether the pathway construction would require any more trees to be removed.

Construction of the pathway was halted late last year after Aboriginal shell deposits were discovered and National Parks informed the council an environmental impact survey was required to ensure the pathway impact on native landscape was kept to a minimum.

Last week’s tree removal was part of ongoing planning of the route by the council and the volunteers and local tradesman building the pathway often on weekends hoped to resume laying of concrete after Easter.