sydney-city-centre-review-of-environmental-factors

Location Tree removal Amenity Impact assessment
Precinct 4: college
C1(D):
Wentworth
Avenue:
Wemyss
Lane to
Goulburn
Lane
C2(A):
College
Street:
Macquarie
Street
intersection
Precinct 5: financial
F1(B):
Macquarie
Street: Bent
Street to
Bridge Street
Removal of a
single mature
cottonwood on the
western kerb of
Wentworth
Avenue just north
of Commonwealth
Street
Pruning and
working within the
root zone of two
Hill’s weeping figs
on the northern
kerb of St James
Road to modify
the alignment into
Macquarie Street
Removal of two
mature London
Plane trees on the
western kerb to
support the
modification of the
kerb extension
The tree contributes to the aesthetic value of the
corridor and enhances the streetscape. Whilst it is a
mature tree, its removal would take place within the
context of a wide road corridor that is flanked with
evenly spaced mature cottonwood. The removal of
one single tree would have a minor impact on the
overall aesthetics of the road corridor; however the
loss would conflict with an objective of the street
tree master plans (City of Sydney 2013) to promote
the retention of kerbside trees.
Whilst not listed as significant trees, the two mature
Hill’s weeping figs are important in the context of
the precinct. They provide an important reference to
the area’s historical values, and they remain
culturally important. The proposal in this location is
to prune part of the canopy and potentially work
within the structural root zone. The impact would
depend on the proposed methods used during
construction. Again unmitigated, the impact the
tree’s health and survival could be compromised.
The London Plane trees provide a constant planting
theme along the western kerb. The trees are
mature and evenly spaced. Removing the two trees
would affect the visual aesthetic along the western
kerb and would reduce the planting theme along
the kerb line.
Visual impacts during operation
The same receivers would be affected by the operational changes introduced under
the proposal. However, the degree of visual impact (ie the magnitude of change)
would be far less than during construction and it would reflect:
The increased presence of traffic within the road corridor
The alteration of the relationship of the road and footpath to adjacent receivers
The change in configuration and layout of roads and intersections
The alteration or change in the location of road furniture, street lighting and
traffic signals
The pruning and/or removal of trees
The application of coloured asphalt on certain roads.
These changes would depend on the nature of the improvement in each location, as
described in Table 3-3 to Table 3-7. Generally, however there would be a more
notable change introduced where the intersections would be reconfigured or the
kerbs and footpaths would be modified. This is reflected in the impact magnitude
ratings applied below:
Intersection reconfiguration and geometry modifications: negligible-low
Kerb extension alterations: negligible-low
Footpath width alterations: negligible-low
Sydney City Centre Capacity Improvement 357
Review of Environmental Factors