About
About the project
Central Coast Council is planning upgrades to Risby Street in Ulverstone, between Reibey Street and Leven Street.
The project aims to improve road safety, drainage and walking conditions, address ongoing damage to footpaths and kerbs, and renew the street so it better supports nearby homes, businesses and people travelling through the area.
The works will also respond to speeding concerns and the street’s low‑lying drainage issues.
Early planning and design
Initial planning for the Risby Street upgrade focused on renewing the road, improving stormwater drainage, and addressing long‑standing maintenance issues. Early design work explored options to improve safety and accessibility while retaining a strong streetscape.
In early 2024, the design consultant completed an engineering survey including the existing trees, CCTV investigation of the stormwater infrastructure and a pavement geotechnical investigation.
In consultation with Council, the design consultant prepared a concept design for the upgrade which included retention of the existing trees with indented parking.
Current status
In April 2025, members of the public lodged a nomination to list the Risby Street English Elm Trees on the Tasmanian Heritage Register. Council paused progression of the project while the nomination was assessed by Heritage Tasmania on behalf of the Tasmanian Heritage Council.
With the heritage process complete, Council is able to continue planning for the Risby Street Reconstruction Project.
The project remains focused on:
- Improving road safety and drainage
- Renewing damaged infrastructure
- Addressing speeding concerns
- Maintaining streetscape amenity through appropriate replacement tree planting
Council will continue to provide updates as the project progresses and will communicate directly with affected residents ahead of any future works.
Community Consultation
Community Information Session
On the 22nd May 2024, a community information session was held at Hive
The consultation session presented the design process, existing conditions, preferred concept, design objectives, typical parking bays, vegetation removal and an overview of the plans.
The community information session was well attended, and several key findings and concerns were raised by the community. Those outcomes are included in the FMG preliminary Design Report and were as follows:
One of the main concerns was the removal (or lack of removal) of existing trees, with multiple comments referencing a desire to replace the existing trees with native trees that would better fit under power lines. There was also an expressed interest in replacing current trees with species that have less intrusive root systems and better fit the local environment. While some were eager to see trees replaced for safety or aesthetic reasons, others prefered retaining trees (~15% of the respondents).
The community seemed divided on the issue of tree removal, with some concerned about the impact on solar arrays due to shading from larger trees. Overall, the consensus was to replace the old or unhealthy trees with smaller, native species that are less likely to interfere with power lines or infrastructure.
FMG have recommended Central Coast Council engage a qualified arborist to provide further comment for the community.
Another significant theme was concern over road safety and traffic, particularly with a concern that the ‘new smooth road surfaces’ potentially encourages speeding by local drivers. There was a call for measures such as line marking and traffic calming devices to reduce the likelihood of the road becoming a race track for local drivers.
FMG recommend Central Coast Council considers a review of a local area traffic management (LATM) solution to slow down traffic and address increased traffic volumes as these are clearly high priorities for the community.
Stakeholders voiced concerns about the impact of construction on access, especially for those with limited mobility or who rely on services like ambulances. There was a request to consider these aspects during the project to ensure that disruptions are minimized, particularly for patients visiting clinics or elderly residents.
Several comments referenced difficulties with parking and driveway access. The straightening of driveways and combining driveway areas without landscaping, were mentioned as preferences by some residents.
Additionally, there were concerns about adequate space for placing garbage bins and the angle of driveways, which may complicate access.
FMG recommend Central Coast Council accept the requested vehicle crossing modifications to resolve the requests from the community. FMG also recommend Council reviews the current garbage bin strategy on Hobbs Parade to determine if any issues are being faced there.
There was a recurring desire for native gardens to be provided instead of traditional grass in the nature strips. This reflects a broader interest in sustainable and low-maintenance landscaping that fits with the natural environment.
Summary of Consultation Findings:
The consultation revealed that the community is extremely supportive of the road and drainage upgrade but has specific concerns about tree removal, traffic safety, construction impacts, and access.
The feedback suggested that ongoing communication and adjustments to address these concerns will be critical in maintaining community support and ensuring the project meets the needs of the community.
Addressing these concerns, particularly around tree replacement, traffic calming, and construction disruption, will be essential as the project moves forward.
Updates
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