Supplementary Agenda of Ordinary Council Meeting

Environment Division

Date of Meeting: 21/09/2011

ITEM 27

EN44/11 - Nature Strip Tree at 23-25 Grantham Crescent Dangar Island

Additional information with NO CHANGE" to Recommendation

Please find attached three documents offered as additional information relating to the tree at 23-25 Grantham Crescent Dangar Island.

Attachment 1 is a report from Total Height Safety Pty Ltd (Bill Goddard) submitted to Newcastle City Council regarding a row of failing Fig trees. The report outlines an alternative method of installing structural tree restraints on trees which have a high risk of failure. The recommended system is used to support the tree during overloading or failure of the tree or tree section. This is when a branch may fail at any point along its length.

The suggested design is to install between 2 and 4 post structures around the tree and place multiple restraints leading to a number of branch junctions within the tree. The cost of each post structure, with restraints, is estimated at $30,000 + GST. A free standing tree, as the subject tree is, with extensive cavities in both the trunk and limbs would require 4 posts.

Attachment 2 is an email supplied by Total Height Safety Pty Ltd (Bill Goddard) who examined the two (2) consultant arborist reports regarding the subject tree as well as photographs of the tree. Mr Goddard did not assess the tree in situ. His initial view is that “given the previous failures and the location of these failures on the stems, tree restraint would be ineffective.”

Attachment 3 is an email from Max Woodward, Executive Manager Works, who was asked to comment on the installation of permanent fencing in Grantham Crescent at the drip line of the subject tree. He considers that “any proposal that restricts pedestrian or vehicular access in this location is not supported.”

RECOMMENDATION

THAT the canopy of one (1) Eucalyptus pilularis (Blackbutt) tree located on the nature strip outside 23-25 Grantham Crescent, Dangar Island be removed and treated to prevent re-growth, so that only a 12m - 16m trunk remains for habitat.

1.View	Total Height Safety Pty Ltd - Tree Cabling Report
2.View	Total Height Safety Pty Ltd - email
3.View	Comments from Executive Manager Works
4.View	Extent of various fencing options	Included under separate cover

File Reference: F2009/00081-13

Document Number: D01763187

Environment Division

Date of Meeting: 21/09/2011

ITEM 13

EN30/11 - Request to remove tree at 24A Myra Street, Wahroonga

Additional information with CHANGE to Recommendation

A letter dated 18 September 2011 (copy attached) has been received from the owner of 24A Myra Street, Wahroonga advising that he is withdrawing his Tree Application, which is the subject of this report. In view of this advice, it is recommended that the matter not be further considered by Council.

RECOMMENDATION

THAT as the Applicant has withdrawn this Tree Application, the matter not be further considered by Council.

1.View

Letter of withdrawal

File Reference: TA/719/2011

Document Number: D01763733

Works Division

Date of Meeting: 21/09/2011

ITEM 28

WK64/11 - Redevelopment of Hornsby Aquatic Centre. Review of Impact on CWA Rooms

Additional information with NO CHANGE" to Recommendation

Further to the subject report, the costs associated with the seven (7) options for access to the proposed aquatic centre have been further considered. Additional comment is now made:

Option 1 (Access into Hornsby Park opposite Coronation Street): has an estimated cost of approximately $800,000 and includes cost of demolition of the CWA building, roadworks on site and Pacific Highway and cost to rehouse the CWA in the proposed Aquatic Centre.

Option 4 (via TAFE): requires the pool structure to be raised by approximately 3 metres. Notwithstanding the unacceptable aesthetic impact, the additional costs are of the order of several million dollars.

Option 6 (via No 6 Dural Street, the Montessori preschool site): excludes the opportunity cost of occupying land that has value to the community for a purpose other than a road.

Council and Works Division staff have also rated the key elements of the various options under consideration. This assessment is subjective, but is considered to summarise the relative merits of each option.

Access options – Summary & Rating
	OPTION 1	OPTION 2	OPTION 3	OPTION 4	OPTION 5	OPTION 6	OPTION 7
Accessibility for Patrons	üüü	üüü	üüü	ü	ü	ü	ü
Traffic & Parking	üüü	û	ü	ü	ü	ü	ü
Impact on Park	üü	ü	ü	û	üüü	üüü	ü
Heritage	üü	ü	ü	üü	üü	ü	üüü
Cost	üüü	üüü	üü	ü	ü	ü	ü
Ease of Construction (Aquatic Centre)	üüü	û	ü	ü	ü	ü	ü
DA ready	üüü	üü	üü	ü	ü	ü	ü

ü- relative merit

x – grounds on which option should not be further considered.

THAT

1. Council confirm its decision to reconstruct the Hornsby Aquatic Centre in Hornsby Park, and to provide access for parking via an access road opposite Coronation Street,

2. The development application currently in preparation to this effect be submitted in due course,

3. The Division of Crown Lands be advised accordingly,

4. The Minister for Primary Industries be advised in the terms of this resolution and requested to support Council’s decision.

File Reference: F2009/00386

Document Number: D01764026