Neill Street has been suffering from issues regarding plantings, water damage and near misses since the main street was transformed under the previous Council and nose in parking replaced rear to kerb parking.
Hilltops Council had a report presented to its May meeting regarding the Neill Street CBD plantings on Wednesday night at Boorowa. The recommendation to Council from staff included the following details.
That Council (a) Discontinue the planting of trees within the centre median; (b) All for inclusion in the 2020-21 budget estimates the staged removal of all existing Robina pseudoacacia “Frisia” trees and replant with a new species; (c) Ensure staff undertake the necessary irrigation changes to correct uneven water distribution across all gardens as recommended in the Ryan, W 2016 Review of Plant performance and Neil Street Irrigation System March 2016; and (d) Recommence the Landscape Maintenance Monthly Reporting – Park & Garden. as per Streetscape Management & Landscape Maintenance Manual and through the available resources undertake corrective measures in a timely manner and within resources available.”
Why Council has not acted on the 2016 report is unknown, however, Council has already dealt with complaints from shop owners and local residences over the last 4 years. Part of the report attributed blame to staff with the report stating “The quality of current maintenance is being addressed and through staff taking ownership the general aesthetics of the soft landscape is improving. Further improvement will occur over the next six months with soil improvements especially East and Stair Street garden to promote growth of the Chinese Star Jasmine.”
The report states “The issues with the Robina pseudoacacia “Frisia” need to be resolved to limit Council’s public liability. Council needs to decide whether to: Keep the existing planting that even with spending approximately $26,000 per year on remedial pruning in the knowledge that the trees still may fail. – Accept the findings of the Arborist and remove and replant using the same species with all its faults or select a new tree species. If this option is selected, tree replacements will be costed for inclusion in the 2020-21 forward budget estimates.” The Neil Street makeover has continued to cause Council issues from its inception, with the Mechanic’s Institute and neighbouring buildings suffering from water damage to both their foundations and their basements. Some parts of the Main Street appear to receive far more water than is needed and others far less, resulting in trees which have needed to be stabilised with wires or ropes and other trees dieing, due to lack of water.
Many of the mature trees cost over $400 at the time of planting.
Council has listed several financial implications including, “The 2018-19 budget allocation for Neil St was $76,00 and having to allocate $26,000 for tree management that may not be effective in the medium-term placing considerable strain on the budget and impacts on delivering a high quality streetscape. Other cost savings such as not continuing the planting of Seaside Daisy ($200) and phasing out the trees in the centre island will reduce pruning cost and rectifying the irrigation system to improve water management will assist in returning resources and improving the quality of the streetscape.” One solution not mentioned by Council’s report is to remove all of the trees, the tree islands and open the street up to its former glory. This would be unlikely although had a lot of support before the changes were made.
Council staff recommended that consultation be undertaken in accordance with the legislation prior to endorsement by Council. The report stated “The improvements to Neil St streetscape are occurring. The issues within the gardens and irrigation should be resolved in 1-2 years. However the future of the Robina pseudoacacia “Frisia” will need to be resolved over the next 2-3 year period.”
Local government certainly moves slowly.
