Twenty-two trees will be cut down and a further 19 may need to be removed during construction of the first stage of the shared cycle and walking path from Sutherland to Cronulla.
However, this a third less than originally proposed and Transport for NSW says replacement trees will be planted when the project is completed.
Planning approval has been granted for the first stage of the Sutherland to Cronulla Active Transport Link (SCATL) from near Sutherland station to near Kirrawee station.
Work is due to start in February, 2019, and take about 12 months to complete.
The Transport for NSW determination report said, during public consultation, nine respondents, including Sutherland Shire Council, expressed concern about the proposed number of trees to be removed.
”Based on this feedback, the design was reconsidered to determine how the potential impact on trees could be reduced by innovative pavement treatments and design amendments,” the report said.
“As a result of this process, the number of trees that are likely to require removal for SCATL Stage 1 has been reduced.”
The report said 22 trees along the route would be removed, 19 may need to be removed subject to further site investigations, four would be retained and 23 would be retained with root protection.
The project will include:
- One kilometre cycle path 2.5 metre wide, adjacent to an existing or new 1.5 metre wide pedestrian walkway.
- One kilometre of shared cycling and pedestrian path 3.5 metres wide.
- 500 metres of 1.5 metre wide pedestrian footpath.
- 400 metres of bidirectional cycle path.
There will be improvements to the signalised intersection at Acacia Road and President Avenue and four non-signalised intersections, construction of car parking spaces on President Avenue and relocation of “kiss and ride” parking from Eton Street to Flora Street, adjacent to Sutherland Public School.
Civil work will include tree removal and pruning and relocation of existing traffic signals and street lighting.
The report said about 400 people attended drop-in sessions during the consultation process, and 110 submissions were received.
Key issues raised in submissions included the removal of trees, loss of parking, construction noise, safety and access and connectivity with regional cycling routes and other destinations.
Other matters that were raised included design features, route location and future stages timing and alignment.
No timeline has been given for further stages.
In a joint statement, shire MPs Mark Speakman, Lee Evans and Eleni Petinos said the new active transport link would help ease local traffic congestion by providing an alternative transport option that had environmental and health benefits.
Research had found about 50 percent of trips of less than two kilometres in the area were made by car, they said.
The path would allow pedestrians and bicycle riders of all ages, capabilities and experience to walk and ride safely to their destination.
The MPS said minimising the impact to trees along the active transport link was a key theme during community consultation.
During the development of the design, the number of trees affected has been reduced by a third.
The MPs said new trees would be planted when the project was completed to replace any trees removed.
Transport for NSW would also continue to work with Sutherland Shire Council to minimise impacts to parking along the route.
Visit: transport.nsw.gov.au/projects
