Tree felling at Naseby Cemetery has been described as desecrating and disgusting, making the cemetery resemble a battlefield.
But the Maniototo Community Board chairman says he sees nothing wrong with the work which had to be done to free up space for the cemetery.
The cemetery was founded in 1860 and is one of the district’s oldest cemeteries.
It is running out of room and a tree-felling operation had been on the cards for several months to free up land.
The operation swung into action about 10 days ago and for Naseby residents Eric and Marilyn Swinbourn it has become somewhat of an eyesore.
"What has happened up there has been poorly handled and poorly communicated," Mr Swinbourn said.
"It is desecrating and disgusting what they have done. There is a total lack of empathy from the council. These trees are past maturity so someone has decided they are too old so they have to go.
He acknowledged more room was needed at the cemetery and that had been well signalled.
But no-one was consulted from Naseby and communication from the council was "woefully inadequate".
The changes at the cemetery had split the Naseby community, he said.
Mrs Swinbourn said the plans for the work to be done had simply not been followed.
The rows of trees around the perimeter had all been felled, which had not been made clear and created a completely different look, she said.
"The proposed layout from the plans looks nothing like it does now."
Mr Swinbourn, who had lived in Naseby for 18 years, said he wanted to be buried in the cemetery when he died but now he was not so sure.
There were only about six grave sites left in the cemetery and more room was needed. Just one more tree had been felled outside the plan.
"The work had to be done ... If we do it once and do it right, then we won’t have to do it again for 50 years. Unfortunately when big trees hit the ground they make a mess," Mr Hazlett said.
The land where some of the trees stood had been marked for an extension to the cemetery. He had no issues with the communication over the tree felling. The community board meetings were live-streamed and information had been in newspapers.
He said within a few years the cemetery would look fine and replanting would take place.
Central Otago District Council community experience group manager David Scoones said there was an extensive development going on to extend the cemetery and the council has been working with Heritage NZ.
The changes had been well publicised, he said.
