Eurobodalla Shire Council workers and contractors moved in after dark to begin removing trees near and overhanging the entry to the boardwalk, near the Batemans Bay Community Centre. 

Doing the heavy lifting at that end of the garden was a groomer – a mulcher attached to an articulated arm on a caterpillar-tracked machine. Dave Clapson, of Bodalla and D&A Excavations, brought his machine on his Mack truck. It mulches trees and shrubs from above.

The crew was briefed in the community centre before beginning work.

Mayor Lindsey Brown, planning director Lindsay Usher and infrastructure director Warren Sharpe attended.

The crews are due to work each night until Friday morning this week, from 7pm to 5am, weather permitting.

A welfare officer was on hand to check on the safety of any flying foxes who might have remained in the garden overnight.

The operation was timed for night, when most bats leave the garden to feed elsewhere. However, some juveniles remain in the garden overnight.

Other equipment was being used at the southern end of the garden, near the Salvation Army.

Workers are also due to begin work at Catalina on Wednesday night, weather permitting.