Houston Mitchell Drive - Vegetation Management

As part of the ongoing maintenance of the Southern Arm Trunk Main project, an independent arborist assessed trees along the road for any potential risks. This assessment identified approximately 46 trees that may have been structurally compromised or have elevated failure risks. These trees had the potential to fall across the road, especially during severe weather, creating a safety hazard for road users.

A qualified independent arborist completed detailed inspections considering root disturbance, canopy structure, visible defects, proximity to the Southern Arm Trunk Main pipeline, and likelihood of failure. These findings formed the basis for the recommended removals and pruning.

No. Some trees required removal, while others had targeted pruning to reduce the risk of limb loss or structural instability. Only trees identified as unsafe or unlikely to remain viable in the long term were removed. Tree stumps were not be ground down, leaving remaining trunks available for habitat.

Works commenced and were completed in March 2026 ahead of schedule.

To safely undertake the works, motorists experienced:

• Stop/Go traffic control at various locations
• Reduced speed limits through active work zones
• Short delays, particularly during tree felling
• Occasional single‑lane closures

Motorists were encouraged to allow extra travel time and follow traffic controller instructions.

Tree removal required heavy machinery and a controlled exclusion zone. Traffic management ensured the safety of workers, motorists, cyclists, and pedestrians.

Yes. The trees removed were already included in the original offset calculations for the Southern Arm Trunk Main project.

Council partnered with the NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) and Landcare to plant approximately 500 koala food trees in the Queens Lake Nature Reserve in February 2025. This work fully satisfied the offset obligations associated with the tree removals on Houston Mitchell Drive.

No. The offset planting completed with NPWS and Landcare already covered the environmental offset requirements associated with these removals.

A specialist tree‑removal contractor, experienced in high‑risk roadside vegetation management, was engaged by Council.

No significant wildlife impacts were experienced. Trees were assessed for habitat values, and works followed environmental management guidelines. Any active wildlife nesting sites were managed appropriately. A qualified ecologist undertook pre-clearing inspections immediately prior to any tree removal works and the Koala Hospital would have been contacted if a koala showed signs of stress or injury.

The contractor identified any suitable koala food branches during works and notified the Port Macquarie Koala Hospital, who attended the site to collect fresh leaves for use in koala care.

To ensure ongoing wildlife habitat, any natural hollows lost through pruning or removal were replaced with either a nesting box or a chainsaw carved artificial hollow. At least two replacement hollows were installed for every hollow removed. This ensured that valuable fauna habitat was preserved, even when tree removal is unavoidable.

Debris was removed, machinery taken off‑site daily, and road shoulders were left in a safe condition.