Trees in the Western Corridor

HeroImage

We're improving safety, reducing traffic congestion, and enhancing active transport in the growing suburbs of Fletcher, Minmi and Wallsend.

To facilitate this important project, some street trees and vegetation will be removed.  We are dedicated to enhancing our urban forest as outlined in our Newcastle Environment Strategy. 

Tree removal and replacement

To upgrade sections of Longworth Avenue and Minmi Road, Wallsend, to a four lane road, we will need to remove a number of street trees. To help offset this loss, for every tree removed, we will be planting two new trees in the surrounding area to help enhance the environment and provide shade and greenery. This means we'll be replanting over 350 trees.

Enhancing green spaces 

In addition to planting new trees, we will also create native pollinator gardens along the footpaths wherever possible. This supports our mission to expand the urban forest and promote biodiversity, including new native garden areas in nature strips. 

Partnering with local residents 

We’re eager to collaborate with local residents impacted by the project to green their front and backyards. Through our Greening Toolkit, impacted residents can choose from a variety of pollinator options, including: 

  • A selection of local native plants for a beautiful pollinator garden
  • Small shrubs for a lovely front hedge
  • A small tree for your garden.

We will liaise directly with impacted residents to discuss these options.  

Public footway gardens 

We will manage all garden beds adjacent to the road, ensuring they are planted and maintained per our guidelines. However, if residents have a garden bed constructed right in front of their property, they can participate in our Street Garden Program. After the road works are finished, they’ll have the chance to plant and care for their garden with plants provided by us through a simple agreement. 

Promoting biodiversity and pollinators 

We have pollinator planting guides available to help increase biodiversity and create pathways for pollinators—ideal for anyone interested in fostering native gardens on private property. 

Examples of pollinator plants you can choose: 

  • Cut-Leafed Daisy (Brachyscome multifida) 
  • Native Violet (Viola hederaceae) 
  • Snake Vine (Hibbertia scandens) 
  • Blue Flax Lily (Dianella caerulea) 

Tree and vegetation removal 

While removing some trees is necessary for the road widening, we’re committed to minimising impacts on existing street trees as much as possible. Our project team have considered all reasonable options to retain trees and has been able to retain some high value trees in the area.

Whenever we can, we will try to reuse materials from the removed trees. This includes repurposing logs with habitat hollows and using wood chips in new planting locations. We will also apply these materials to nearby council restoration projects, like the restoration project at Wallsend Wetland on 1C Minmi Road.

Learn more 

Be sure to sign up for the Natural Connection newsletter to keep updated on local environmental events and information.

Stay in touch 

If you have questions about this information, please reach out to our customer service team on 4974 2000 and ask to talk to our Environmental Assets team.

Construction contacts

More information 

For further details about the Western Corridor Road Upgrade, visit our dedicated project page.