Balancing environmental needs with building a safer road network to meet the demands of a growing community is challenging, but we’re doing all we can to find solutions that meet both these priorities.

Flora and fauna investigations

We have assessed all aspects of the environment in order to inform our design and control measures. However, we understand that two of the most important environmental features of the local area are vegetation and wildlife, and special consideration has been given to these.

We have engaged a team of ecologists and arborists who are qualified in biodiversity and environmental science to carry out the flora and fauna assessment for the project.

As part of the site assessments, we've mapped the entire project site to record wildlife, vegetation and significant species.

We’ve undertaken the investigations to:

  • identify sensitive and protected plants and animals, including potential habitats
  • ensure we are complying with federal and state environmental legislation requirements including obtaining vegetation offsets
  • understand potential impacts that the project may have on identified sensitive species
  • develop measures to reduce potential impacts, such as adjusting the design, installing controls and identifying construction "no go zones"
  • understand and plan for community concerns about specific areas.

Kangaroos

Environmental approvals

We have all the necessary approvals to undertake this work.

  • We have obtained approval under the Planning and Environment Act 1987 in the form of a Planning Scheme Amendment.
  • For native vegetation removal we have procured offsets for the project, in accordance with the Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning (DELWP) requirements
  • We have obtained all necessary heritage approvals.

Managing environmental impacts

To manage environmental impacts during the project, we have:

  • developed an Environmental Management Strategy which has been approved by the Minister for Planning
  • developed managements plans, to control and minimise any ecological and environmental impacts during construction
  • sought all appropriate approvals as required and made necessary design refinements to reduce environmental impacts.

Assessment, protection and clearing of vegetation

All road projects of this scale can have an impact on vegetation. While every effort will be made to protect existing trees and vegetation, some areas of the road reserve are narrow and tree removal will be necessary.

These upgrades require space to build new lanes and shared cycling and walking paths.

There is currently limited space along the roads and this makes it difficult to design the upgrades without impacts to trees or private properties. In these instances, to minimise impact on private land, some trees will need to be removed.

As with all major projects, we must balance the need to remove vegetation and the impact to the environment with the need to improve road safety and traffic flow.

An arborist and ecologist reports were prepared to assess the species, size and number of trees to be impacted across the project. The reports informed the degree of impact on each tree and guided decisions around which trees are to be retained or removed.

The reports have also been used to determine

  • trees that will be retained
  • trees that require protection during construction
  • offset requirements.

Once a tree has been confirmed for removal, it will be marked on a worksite plan. The project team will consult with numerous internal and external stakeholders to make sure that relevant approvals are in place and impacts have been fully considered before removing vegetation. This includes consultation with the project team, local council and DELWP.

Where trees will remain, Tree Protection Zones (TPZ) will be established. TPZs provide a setback to protect the above and below ground parts of a tree during construction. No Go Zones will also be established to safeguard vegetation, cultural heritage sites and habitat areas during construction.

Bridge Inn Road area

Re-using felled timber

The reuse of mulch and timber is in line with the Project’s aim to achieve highest and best reuse options.

We’re working with local community groups including the local men’s shed, schools and kindergartens, and the City of Whittlesea to identify the best ways the wood can be reused. Some timber will be mulched on site for safe removal from the road. Selected logs will be cut by the contractor and retained for use in landscaping and we’re setting aside burls for the Wurundjeri people for traditional crafts.

We will also look to collect seeds depending on the time of year and work with local nurseries to grow locally indigenous planting stock for our landscaping works.

Under no circumstance will any timber, mulch or by-products as a result of tree clearing activities be sent to landfill. The Project will endeavour to reuse and repurpose all by-products of tree removal activities.

Protection of local wildlife

The site assessment has found that there are no protected species in the project area. Even so, prior to removal, trees are inspected for the presence of wildlife, and qualified handlers are onsite during tree removal to safely move wildlife as necessary.

Some wildlife may be found within the area, including mammals, birds, reptiles and amphibians. We’re working alongside specialists to ensure the protection and safe relocation of wildlife. To minimise impacts to wildlife we’ll:

  • ensure a qualified ecologist undertakes assessments to determine if wildlife is present or likely to be present before removing any vegetation
  • have a qualified and licensed wildlife handler on site during vegetation removal to safely relocate any fauna that may be affected.

Landscaping plans

We are currently finalising landscaping plans.

New shrubs will create attractive boulevards that enhance road spaces within residential and business activity areas.

Tree planting and landscaping are usually the final activities to take place, once major works are completed in the area. More information will be shared with the community as the project progresses.