Photo supplied.
A digger works on the northwest bank of the Taieri River near the Allanton bridge last week.
A concerned Taieri Times reader called the newspaper when he saw a digger clearing trees on the banks of the river.
The caller believed a farmer was removing the trees, which is not allowed because they are on the Queen's Chain.
However, Otago Regional Council director engineering, hazards, and science, Dr Gavin Palmer, said the removal of the willow trees was being carried out on private land and was done with the permission of the owner as part of the management and maintenance of the Lower Taieri Flood Protection Scheme works.
