Street Tree Masterplan Amendments
This consultation has concluded.
The BMCC Street tree masterplan was placed on public exhibition in April/May 2010 and adopted by the Council in August 2010. A local community group has subsequently assessed all streets in Blackheath to include them in the Masterplan. These plans are available in the library to download and read and you are invited to view them and provide comment by clicking on the Guest book tab below.
Planning for the succession of aging street trees is a significant issue in many Mountain's towns, while the street environment has become increasingly constrained with underground and overhead services and much higherContinue reading
The BMCC Street tree masterplan was placed on public exhibition in April/May 2010 and adopted by the Council in August 2010. A local community group has subsequently assessed all streets in Blackheath to include them in the Masterplan. These plans are available in the library to download and read and you are invited to view them and provide comment by clicking on the Guest book tab below.
Planning for the succession of aging street trees is a significant issue in many Mountain's towns, while the street environment has become increasingly constrained with underground and overhead services and much higher standards for roads, kerbs and driveways. In this context sightlines in the street must be maintained. Council's Street tree Masterplan sets out the required technical standards and the species themes for major roads throught the mountains.
The Blackheath Streetscape Group (BSG) is a group of local residents of 10 years standing who have worked with council on numerous street tree projects. Their expertise includes the services of a retired local nurseryman and representation on a local bushcare team. In 2010, using principles discussed with Council's Urban Designer, the BSG undertook a survey of all residential streets in Blackheath to allocate street tree themes. This very significant field work is the basis for the maps which are now presented for public comment.
In July this year we had a Windstorm natural disaster in the upper mountains which makes these maps particularly timely. As such BMCC is proposing an amendment to the Street tree Masterplan by way of 2 x new maps and a revised species list.
-
Selection criteria for Street Trees
Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linkedin Email this linkNot only must trees be hardy to the climate and soils, they need to meet a long list of other criteria to be a "competent" street tree in today's urban environments - including:
- have a reliable form - an elevated canopy and single trunk are needed to keep sightlines open for traffic and security reasons;
- needing to be long lived - many fast-growing trees tend to be short lived. Some research indicates that a tree starts to justify the investment in its planting and growth after 23 years;
- not a weed - and unlikely to become one;
- whether deciduous or evergreen - every site should be assessed on its merits for sun/shade requirements.
There are many more - these can be found in the Street Tree Masterplan at section 1.4 Species Selection.
-
The work of the Blackheath Streetscape Group
Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linkedin Email this linkThe Blackheath Streetscape Group (BSG) undertook significant fieldwork to assess all streets in Blackheath and recommend a street tree theme for almost all streets in the town. Only a few streets with no room for planting are not included.
The BSG group used prinicples discussed with Council's Urban Designer including:
- Recognition of existing plantins that were worthy of repetition for example, the Flowering Cherries in Hat Hill Road, or the Plane Trees in Neate Park;
- Recognition of limits to exotic species and the use of indigenous species on town edges in particular; and
- The technical specification required for a "competent" street tree, i.e. single trunk, elevated canopy, long lived, etc.
Note that all species are assessed for weed potential to avoid trees that are existing weeds or are likely to be problematic in the future.
Photos
Key Dates
-
27 November → 23 December 2011
-
27 November 2011 → 06 January 2012
Photos
Related projects
Live Projects
Archived Projects
- Public Exhibition: Draft Blue Mountains Crime Prevention Plan
- Exhibition of Draft Cemetery Policies document
- Renaming of Park at Arthur Street, Warrimoo - Exhibition
- Hazelbrook Woodford Flood Study
- Draft LEP 2013
- Kingsford Smith Memorial Park draft Plan of Management
- Community Conservation Program
- Review of the Community Strategic Plan - Sustainable Blue Mountains 2025
- Our City, Our Future - Looking After Our Community Assets
- Hat Hill Road Dirt Jump
- Hat Hill dog off-leash
- Reducing Youth Alcohol Harm
- Proposed Rating Reform
- Trial Wildlife Protection Areas
- Street Tree Planting
- Outrim Park Redevelopment
- Batman Reserve Plan of Management
- Melrose Park Junior Skate Facility
- Knapsack Park Downhill Bike Track: Update
- Pioneer Place Master Plan
- Springwood Facilities Stage 1
- Public Exhibition: Draft 2011-2012 Operational Plan
- Companion Animals Management Plan 2011-2014
- Review of Rating: Proposed New Rating Structure
- Blue Mountains Companion Animal Survey
- Community Gardens Policy and Guidelines
- Dog Off Leash
- Street Tree Masterplan
- Springwood Community and Cultural Facilities
- Special Rate Variation
- Integrated Planning For Services