FAQs

Council have received approved funding through the Federal Government’s Local Road and Community Infrastructure Grant to complete essential drainage, kerb channel and tree replacement works in Wishart Street, Port Fairy.  

The works have been instigated due to significant issues associated with damage to drainage, kerb, channel and road assets caused primarily through invasive tree roots.  

In addition, residents with trees close to their properties have reported respiratory and skin irritation issues with the seed pods hairs that the current Norfolk Island Hibiscus trees release.  

These seed pods also cause damage to roofing, guttering and impact on rainwater quality which some local residents use.  

The condition of the, kerb, channel, road surface and some areas of the footpath has now also become a pedestrian and user risk issue.   

Council must comply with requirements under the Road Management Act to ensure that road and associated assets are safe for travel and do not constitute a trip, injury or accident hazard.    

To complete the full construction works on the western side of the street, will likely to take 8-12 weeks, weather permitting.  

Contractors will be on site between the hours of 8:00am and 5:00pm Monday to Friday.

Works will commence after the Easter school holidays.  

Timing will be dependent on contractor availability and weather conditions.   

Notification will be provided once confirmed

• Replacement of existing trees
• New kerb and channel.
• Drainage improvements
• Road Rehabilitation.
• Renewal of property crossovers and driveways to the property fence line. 

An independent arborist report completed in 2023 found the following:

• The trees present as mature specimens and all impact their growing environment.
• Their root structures impact severely both the road surfacing, and the hard formed drainage within their root zones.
• Generally for all trees, their health is similar. Canopy thinning and past pruning to manage invasive size applies to all specimens. As the trees further age the impacts unmanaged will continue to require maintenance. 
• The trees also present structural heartwood decay in major branch and trunk scaffolds, with open wounds impacting structural integrity and vascular function.
• Street infrastructure impacts to hard drainage and road surfacing are significant and not repairable with the tree retained on site to an acceptable standard with suitable repair longevity.
• Impacts requiring rectification in the street scape are within the calculated structural root zone of the trees, and rectification will cause significant tree integrity loss, and health decline.
• As such it is principal across the seven trees, they have out lived their useful life within the current Wishart Street scape.

Under Council’s adopted Tree Management Policy 2023, Council is responsible for the planning, establishment, replacement, and management of all trees on public land owned or managed by Council.  

Council places a high value on the contribution trees make to beautify our streetscapes, recreation reserves, and public open spaces, by providing, shelter, habitat, climate resilience, shading of streetscapes and adding to our general health and wellbeing. 

Trees require careful planning and management to ensure they are safe and do not cause damage to public and private property and infrastructure. This applies to parklands, reserves, roadsides, nature strips and public spaces.

Council’s objectives under the Tree Management Policy include:

• Taking a proactive approach to tree planting, tree removal, species selection and ongoing maintenance, to ensure trees contribute positively to the built and natural environment to enhance its appearance and the wellbeing of the community. 
• Ensuring proper consideration is given to the location, climate, species selection and ongoing maintenance of trees in the planning and design of relevant projects. 
• Consideration of the respective attributes of tree species in the selection of trees, their debris, potential to cause allergies, by-products and how that may impact upon their location, health and safety and amenity. 
• Taking all reasonable steps to minimise risks that trees under Council’s jurisdiction pose to the health and safety of the community.

Council proposes to reinstate the nine tree plantings that formed the original streetscape – two trees have already been removed with seven still in place. 

The two tree species selected have the following characteristics:

Willow Myrtle (Agonis Flexuosa)

Family: Myrtaceae

It is a native tree with graceful, weeping foliage which reaches around 15 metres. It is often smaller in cultivation and would take many years to reach its ultimate height. It has fibrous bark and lance shaped leaves. The white, 5 petalled flowers are massed along the branches in spring and summer.

Box Elder (Acer Negundo)

Family: Aceraceae

Box Elder trees are a fast growing small to medium slender, deciduous multi stemmed tree. It can grow up to 20m, but most commonly around 8 metres. Its leaves are light green and somewhat smaller than other maples.

Traffic and pedestrian management will be in place and changed conditions will be required for the duration of the works. Some interruptions to parking and driveway access will occur, however will be kept to a minimum.  

Works to crossovers and driveways will mean that for a couple a days, vehicle access will not be possible until the concrete has cured.  

Notification of when these works will  be provided to each property owner / resident prior to these works commencing to allow sufficient time to plan for changed access requirements. 

Pedestrian access to your property will be maintained as much possible but some access disruption may occur as part of the works to ensure the safety of pedestrians and contractors.

Bin collections, postal and other delivery services will continue as usual.

Full one lane access in Wishart Street will be open at all times.