The development application is currently on display at Port Macquarie-Hastings Council and submissions will close at 5pm on June 30. The development application states a proposed total cost of $766,000.

Several residents, who do not wish to go on the record, believed the natural habitat for fauna would be severely impacted if the development went ahead.

The owner’s brother-in-law, Tim van Ekeran, who has worked extensively on the DA, said extensive research and resources have been used to determine which trees would go if the development continues.

When the Port News first revealed plans for an eco caravan park this month, Mr van Ekeran said he and new owner, Jeff Crowe, were trying to avoid any removal of natural forest.

“We have worked closely with an arborist and ecologist. During the process we have also brought council arborist and ecological staff to speak to us and our professionals to ensure we were on the same page and moving in a direction they could live with,” he said.

“The first to go are exotics that don’t belong there, and then the dead trees which there are many of.

“The arborists and ecologists have identified trees based on the value of the tree in terms of fauna habitat, the health of the trees, the variety of the trees and the expected life of the trees.

“With that area, because it was mostly vacant land when the theme park was made so long ago, is about maintaining the diversity of species as well as age and health. Much of what appears to be a forest was actually all planted when the park was created.”

Mr van Ekeran said there are no identified koala trees being removed.

“In terms of the other habitat trees, trees with hollows are being retained other than two that simply can’t be retained,” he said.

“They will have offsets created for them in terms of fauna boxes.”