Large roadside trees formed a significant landscape element along the section of O’Riordan Street in Alexandria. However, a number of these trees had caused substantial damage to sections of kerb and road drainage infrastructure in this commercial and industrial area. Roads and Maritime Services (RMS) therefore decided to carry out remedial works to repair the damage.
RMS engaged Corkery Consulting to prepare a Landscape Character and Visual Impact Assessment to review the potential impacts of proposed tree removals and recommend mitigation measures. A detailed tree assessment was carried out by Sydney Arbor Trees to identify those trees that would be impacted by the required works. RMS removed those trees and implemented a program of replacement planting.
Client: RMS
Location: Alexandria NSW Australia
Images: Corkery Consulting
PROJECT DESCRIPTION
The Visual Impact Assessment prepared by Corkery Consulting involved identification of key viewpoints and the potential visual impact of the proposed works on each of these viewpoints.
A total of 99 roadside trees were growing within the road reserve along the 750 metre section of O’Riordan Street between Reserve Street and Doody Street. The trees varied in terms of species, size, age and condition.
The visual corridor of O’Riordan Street is defined by the facades of adjoining industrial and commercial buildings which in general are visually bulky. Substantial vegetation occurs within the industrial and commercial properties that adjoin the road reserve and is visible from O’Riordan Street.
The Visual Assessment also took account of the significant variation in distribution and visual character of
existing trees and other vegetation.
Recommended mitigation measures include implementation of a tree planting program to replace the 34 trees that needed to be removed. The planting program was implemented through collaboration between RMS and the City of Sydney. Extensive graphics were prepared to illustrate the existing situation and proposed new tree planting.