THE removal of trees by councils has become a hot topic following the removal of five large gum trees at Littleton Garden in Bega last week.
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Indeed the removal of several large eucalypts in front of the Narooma Visitor Centre and Sport and Leisure Centre at the start of the Narooma Flat streetscaping project caused outrage among some with accusations of inadequate consultation.
Well now be warned, Eurobodalla Shire Council has released more details of the next stage of the $4.6 million road and landscaping project currently in full swing on the Flat, which includes the roundabout road works currently underway, and more trees will be going.
Council meanwhile is also asking the local community to help by commenting on two options for pedestrian facilities to make it safer for pedestrians to cross the Princes Highway in Narooma between McMillan Road and Field Street along the road.
Submissions on this proposal close on next Wednesday, August 21.
Council will then be seeking feedback from the community on the draft landscape design plans that have been developed for the second phase of the streetscaping project.
Council announced Thursday morning that these plans will be on exhibition from August 23 to September 20.
There are a number of trees to be removed to allow for implementation of the draft landscape design and more information on these will be available during the August consultation.
Before the final landscape design is finalised, council will make sure it includes an extensive amount of new tree plantings to compensate for the loss of each tree along the Narooma flat and to provide significant improvements in the visual amenity, enjoyment and accessibility of this part of town.
The trees that have been identified for removal or pruning as part of the draft landscaping design plan include five trees at the sports and leisure centre that are overhanging the building and threatening to damage it.
At the Narooma Ambulance Station slated to go are four New Zealand Christmas bush trees, which are in the way of the new shared pathway between Club Narooma and Bill Smyth Oval.
On nearby 2 McMillan Road there is one tree to go, which is growing underneath the power lines:
At the Narooma Visitors Centre there is one New Zealand Christmas bush and one callistemon, which are restricting the visibility of the centre and are in the way of planned new street lighting.
Also at the visitors centre there are callistemon trees either side of the building that are to be pruned and replanted to suit the landscape design concept and improve surveillance.
Finally, on Ted Street three small trees or shrubs are to go from the embankment to improve sight lines and surveillance.
Council says the plans for Narooma Flat between Wharf and Field streets have been developed by council’s landscape architect following the first round of consultation with Narooma businesses and residents in March this year.
Narooma Streetscaping Sunset Advisory Committee chairman and mayor Lindsay Brown said the response from the community in March was exceptional with more than 250 business owners and residents providing their feedback.
“The feedback was amazing, really helpful, and it has been used to develop the new, draft landscape plans that we will be showing the community on 24 and 25 of August,” Clr Brown.
“We are after feedback from local residents and business which will be used to develop the final landscape designs.”
The landscaping works are to be implemented in conjunction with the current civil construction works and are expected to be completed by June 2014.
The information can also be found on the Narooma Streetscaping Project page of council’s website here: www.esc.nsw.gov.au/general/council-projects/narooma-streetscaping-project/
“Before the final landscape design is finalised, council will make sure it includes an extensive amount of new tree plantings to compensate for the loss of each tree along the Narooma flat and to provide significant improvements in the visual amenity, enjoyment and accessibility of this part of town,” Clr Brown said.
Draft landscape design plan information sessions are:
A street meeting on Saturday, August 24 from 9am to 12noon, outside Mead’s ABC Bakery - meet with council staff, landscape architects and members of Narooma Streetscape Sunset Advisory Committee
A market stall on Sunday, August 25, 8am to 12noon at the Rotary Markets, NATA Oval Narooma- talk with council staff, landscape architects and Narooma Streetscape Sunset Advisory Committee
If you are not able to make any of the sessions but would like information to make a submission on the draft landscape design plans, please contact Michelle Wrethman on 4476 4144. You can also follow the Narooma Streetscaping Project online at www.esc.nsw.gov.au
The exhibition of the draft landscape plans will be from August 23 to September 20.
