Tree Removal and Replacement - November 2024

Arboricultural Impact Assessment:

• Despite the overall community feedback strongly in favour of removing and replacing the existing trees, Council has proceeded with an Arboricultural Impact Assessment to ensure a properly informed assessment is made prior to deciding on this course of action.
• Refer to the Site Plans button at the top of this page for a copy of the Arboricultural Impact Assessment Report undertaken by Urban Forest Training and Consultancy.

The Arboricultural Impact Assessment Report concluded that:

• The site survey identified a total of 25 trees within the project footprint. After a thorough evaluation, it was determined that 20 of these trees should be removed due to their poor condition. This decision is based on assessing the trees’ health and structural integrity, revealing an elevated failure risk. The poor condition of these trees presents safety concerns that cannot be overlooked, and their removal is warranted regardless of the planned construction activities.
• The remaining five trees, while attracting a moderate retention value, also cannot be retained in light of the proposed road reconstruction. The extensive root severance required for the new infrastructure would compromise their stability and long-term viability. Consequently, removing these five trees has also been recommended to ensure safety and effective project implementation.
• To maintain the area’s long-term canopy coverage, it is essential to plant replacement trees. The selection of suitable replacement species will help restore and enhance the landscape, contributing to the area’s ecological balance.
• Recommended replacement tree species are detailed in Table 3, which provides information on their suitability and expected benefits for the environment.

In accordance with the overall community feedback strongly in favour of removing and replacing the existing trees and the subsequent findings of the Arboricultural Impact Assessment, Council has decided to progress the Risby Street Upgrade Design on the basis of removing and replacing the existing trees.

The replacement tree species will be Crepe Myrtle Largerstroemia indicia x fauriel (Pictured Below), which is a small vase shaped tree with cinnamon or olive coloured bark. Deciduous dark green foliage turning maroon through to copper in Autumn. Masses of showy fuchsia pink, white or hot pink flowers in spring.

Other areas of concern raised by the community will also be addressed in the final design development i.e.

• Road Safety and Traffic Concerns
• Driveway and Parking Issues
• Nature Strip and Landscaping