This project page has moved
The Risby Street Road Upgrade project page is now located on our new engagement platform – My Central Coast.
About the project
The Central Coast Council intends to upgrade Risby Street in Ulverstone between Reibey Street and Leven Street, including the roundabout at Leven Street, a distance of 450m.
Risby Street is adjacent to the Ulverstone Business District and includes several businesses at the northern end, some new infill residences, and older freestanding residences. The street provides a connection to southern residential areas and speeding vehicles are a concern.
The street has established trees that are blocking stormwater drains and damaging footpaths and kerbs. The area is low lying and poorly drained. The pavement is in poor condition.
Preliminary Design
Following a competitive tender process a design consultancy, FMG Engineering, were commissioned in March 2024 to undertake site investigations and design of the street upgrade.
During the period from March to April 2024, the design consultant completed an engineering feature and level survey including the existing trees, CCTV investigation of the stormwater infrastructure and a pavement geotechnical investigation. In consultation with Council, the design consultant prepared a concept design for the upgrade which included retention of the existing trees with indented parking.
Community Consultation
On the 22nd May 2024, a community information session was held at Hive
The consultation session presented the design process, existing conditions, preferred concept, design objectives, typical parking bays, vegetation removal and an overview of the plans.
Refer to the Documents button on this page for:
A copy of FMG’s Preliminary Design Report which includes the following Appendices:
- Appendix A; a copy of the preliminary design drawings which were presented at the Information session
- Appendix B; the community consultation flyer which was distributed by hand and mail to Risby Street residents and nearby stakeholders.
- Appendix C; the material presented at the community information session.
- In Appendix D; a summary of the feedback received at the information session.
The community information session was well attended, and several key findings and concerns were raised by the community. Those outcomes are included in Appendix D of the FMG preliminary Design Report and were as follows:
Tree Removal and Replacement:
One of the main concerns was the removal (or lack of removal) of existing trees, with multiple comments referencing a desire to replace the existing trees with native trees that would better fit under power lines. There was also an expressed interest in replacing current trees with species that have less intrusive root systems and better fit the local environment. While some were eager to see trees replaced for safety or aesthetic reasons, others prefered retaining trees (~15% of the respondents).
The community seemed divided on the issue of tree removal, with some concerned about the impact on solar arrays due to shading from larger trees. Overall, the consensus was to replace the old or unhealthy trees with smaller, native species that are less likely to interfere with power lines or infrastructure.
FMG have recommended Central Coast Council engage a qualified arborist to provide further comment for the community.
Road Safety and Traffic Concerns:
Another significant theme was concern over road safety and traffic, particularly with a concern that the ‘new smooth road surfaces’ potentially encourages speeding by local drivers. There was a call for measures such as line marking and traffic calming devices to reduce the likelihood of the road becoming a race track for local drivers.
FMG recommend Central Coast Council considers a review of a local area traffic management (LATM) solution to slow down traffic and address increased traffic volumes as these are clearly high priorities for the community.
Construction Impact:
Stakeholders voiced concerns about the impact of construction on access, especially for those with limited mobility or who rely on services like ambulances. There was a request to consider these aspects during the project to ensure that disruptions are minimized, particularly for patients visiting clinics or elderly residents.
Driveway and Parking Issues:
Several comments referenced difficulties with parking and driveway access. The straightening of driveways and combining driveway areas without landscaping, were mentioned as preferences by some residents.
Additionally, there were concerns about adequate space for placing garbage bins and the angle of driveways, which may complicate access.
FMG recommend Central Coast Council accept the requested vehicle crossing modifications to resolve the requests from the community. FMG also recommend Council reviews the current garbage bin strategy on Hobbs Parade to determine if any issues are being faced there.
Nature Strip and Landscaping:
There was a recurring desire for native gardens to be provided instead of traditional grass in the nature strips. This reflects a broader interest in sustainable and low-maintenance landscaping that fits with the natural environment.
Summary of Consultation Findings:
The consultation revealed that the community is extremely supportive of the road and drainage upgrade but has specific concerns about tree removal, traffic safety, construction impacts, and access.
The feedback suggested that ongoing communication and adjustments to address these concerns will be critical in maintaining community support and ensuring the project meets the needs of the community.
Addressing these concerns, particularly around tree replacement, traffic calming, and construction disruption, will be essential as the project moves forward.
Project Paused
Review of Heritage Listing - April 2025
Council has been advised that an application for heritage listing of the current Risby Street trees has been lodged with the Heritage Council. In light of this, Council will await formal advice from the Heritage Council before proceeding with any tree removal or road works.
We acknowledge that this project is of great importance to Risby Street residents, and we apologise for any delays. The removal of trees is always a last resort for Council and is never undertaken lightly. At this stage, no feasible alternatives to their removal and renewal have been identified.
If you have any questions about the Risby Street upgrade or the proposed tree removal, please don’t hesitate to contact our team.
Post Community Consultation Actions
Tree Removal and Replacement - November 2024
Arboricultural Impact Assessment:
- Despite the overall community feedback strongly in favour of removing and replacing the existing trees, Council has proceeded with an Arboricultural Impact Assessment to ensure a properly informed assessment is made prior to deciding on this course of action.
- Refer to the Site Plans button at the top of this page for a copy of the Arboricultural Impact Assessment Report undertaken by Urban Forest Training and Consultancy.
The Arboricultural Impact Assessment Report concluded that:
- The site survey identified a total of 25 trees within the project footprint. After a thorough evaluation, it was determined that 20 of these trees should be removed due to their poor condition. This decision is based on assessing the trees’ health and structural integrity, revealing an elevated failure risk. The poor condition of these trees presents safety concerns that cannot be overlooked, and their removal is warranted regardless of the planned construction activities.
- The remaining five trees, while attracting a moderate retention value, also cannot be retained in light of the proposed road reconstruction. The extensive root severance required for the new infrastructure would compromise their stability and long-term viability. Consequently, removing these five trees has also been recommended to ensure safety and effective project implementation.
- To maintain the area’s long-term canopy coverage, it is essential to plant replacement trees. The selection of suitable replacement species will help restore and enhance the landscape, contributing to the area’s ecological balance.
- Recommended replacement tree species are detailed in Table 3, which provides information on their suitability and expected benefits for the environment.
In accordance with the overall community feedback strongly in favour of removing and replacing the existing trees and the subsequent findings of the Arboricultural Impact Assessment, Council has decided to progress the Risby Street Upgrade Design on the basis of removing and replacing the existing trees.
The replacement tree species will be Crepe Myrtle Largerstroemia indicia x fauriel (Pictured Below), which is a small vase shaped tree with cinnamon or olive coloured bark. Deciduous dark green foliage turning maroon through to copper in Autumn. Masses of showy fuchsia pink, white or hot pink flowers in spring.
Other areas of concern raised by the community will also be addressed in the final design development i.e.
- Road Safety and Traffic Concerns
- Driveway and Parking Issues
- Nature Strip and Landscaping
Frequently Asked Questions
Below are answers to frequently asked questions and concerns raised by the community. If you have additional questions, please don’t hesitate to contact us.
The upgrade aims to improve street safety, aesthetics, and usability for residents and road users.
Key benefits include:
Improved road surface and drainage
Renewed street lighting, kerbs, and footpaths
Designated footpath parking to increase safety
Tree renewal and landscaping upgrades
Full-strength sealed pavement requiring minimal future maintenance
Council held a Community Information Session at Hive on 22 May 2024 to share details about the Risby Street Upgrade and hear from residents. The session included information on the proposed design, parking, tree removal, and landscaping plans. A flyer was delivered to local residents and stakeholders to invite them to the session.
Community feedback was collected and summarised in the FMG Preliminary Design Report. Key concerns included tree removal, road safety, driveway access, and landscaping. In response, Council arranged an Arboricultural Impact Assessment and is reviewing ways to address traffic, access, and streetscape concerns.
Council only removes trees as a last resort. While the original design aimed to retain most trees, community feedback raised concerns about their condition and impact.
An independent arborist later confirmed all 25 trees should be removed due to health and safety risks. With both expert advice and community feedback supporting replacement, Council will plant new trees that offer long-term benefits and are more suitable for the area.
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Contact Us
Got questions or want to learn more about this project? Contact us below:
Phone: 03 6429 8900
Email: [email protected]