| 23 April 2012 |
Whyalla residents have been reassured that the removal of significant numbers of trees along many of the city’s main road medians will result in greener and more attractive landscapes when the $5.7m Waterproofing Whyalla project is completed.
For immediate release: April 22, 2012
Whyalla residents have been reassured that the removal of significant numbers of trees along many of the city’s main road medians will result in greener and more attractive landscapes when the $5.7m Waterproofing Whyalla project is completed.
Group Manager Corporate ServicesMigelle Hiscockhas reiterated that the initial construction and implementation phase will see some unsightliness with the removal of existing vegetation.
However, these areas will be gradually transformed as medians are redeveloped with grass and tree species more appropriate for Whyalla’s climate. Medians alongNicolson Avenue,Jenkins Avenue,Norrie AvenueandBradford Streetare among areas undergoing major change.
Mrs Hiscock said the work was probably the biggest redevelopment of its type since the facilities were originally constructed.
Complete clearing of existing vegetation takes into account identified trees in poor condition, inappropriate species for the environment, road safety issues, and necessary work to enable installation of pipe work and irrigation systems.
When completed, a network of pipelines and subsurface irrigation will carry recycled water from SA Water’s reclamation plant.
Council’s street tree working party has selected appropriate species to suit each length of median. Advanced specimens, also providing attractive floral displays, will be planted when the watering system is commissioned.
Various Council reserves will also be irrigated using reclaimed water including Memorial Oval, Bradford Reserve, Stuart Park andJubileePark.
Mrs Hiscock said the ultimate aim of the project was to reduce Whyalla’s reliance on River Murray water while improving the city’s visual appearance.
Works to connect Memorial Oval and Bradford Reserve to the new network will result in minor disruptions for traffic turning right from Bradford Street onto Nicolson Avenue for between two and four weeks.
The major installation phase is scheduled to be completed by July this year and a further 12 months for grass to fully develop in association with overall media redevelopment.
Mrs Hiscock said the project had been made possible through grants of $2.7million from the Australian Government’s National Water Security Plan for Cities and Towns – a key component of the Water for the Future initiative – and $1.05millon from the SA Government.
