Community engagement results - Landscaping Plan consultation

Thank you to all who have submitted feedback regarding the Landscaping Plan for the River Road, Shared User Path.

There was strong support with all participants supporting the plan.

32% supporting with no suggested changes and 68% supporting with some changes.

Common suggestions or concerns recuring through the feedback are addressed below.

1. Boulder placement inhibiting parking or access to driveways: A suggestion was raised to adjust the placement of some boulders to ensure access to driveways. This will be considered and implemented where there is little to no impact on the safety objectives of the project.

Concern was raised about bollards or boulders reducing parking in the area. As per the NSW road rules 2014 – REG 197 drivers must not stop on a nature strip adjacent to a length of road in a built-up area. The proposed boulders will be placed in the reserve or nature strip with an appropriate offset from the road, therefore they do not impact any legal parking zones.

2. Cyclist Fence: As previously discussed during consultation for the Shared User Path Route, this is not within the scope of the landscaping plan. During the site meeting to discuss the path location, the fence was reduced from its original 180m to the most critical 25m as documented in the Path Route. Alternatives such as vegetation barriers have been considered where appropriate to reduce risk as an alternative to cyclist fencing. An example includes the slope leading down to Carter’s Corner. The section opposite No.11 was kept as cyclist fencing due to the community requesting that the palms be kept, and the path be placed near the embankment. As this area has a steep drop and is close to reduced visibility corners, Council maintains that a cyclist fence is an appropriate treatment to risk in this area. A fence will be selected that has minimal profile and is powder coated black to blend in with the surrounds to minimise any visual distinction.

Further comments were made by individuals about doing more work around the entrance to Celia Parade, further trimming to improve sightlines in more vegetated areas, giving consideration toward the ongoing maintenance of the boulder areas and expressing preference to remove boulders entirely. All have been considered and where appropriate will be implemented within the scope and objectives of the project.