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Footpath – Prince Street to Doepel Street

Project typeConstruction of Pathway
Project scheduleComplete

Timeframe

Completed in February 2024

Project Scope

The project will see the replacement of the existing narrow and damaged pathway on Hyde Street (Waterfall Way) between Prince Street and the High School and the extension from the High School to the Doepel Street with a new 2.5m wide pathway. The pathway will provide improved connectivity from the CBD to Bellingen High School, Connell Park and the Doepel Street.

Design Stage

In preparation for this project, the Council conducted thorough Arborists and Heritage assessments and evaluation of the trees lining the Heritage Avenue between the Doepel Street and the CBD, encompassing both the northern and southern sections of the road.

The assessment process included:

Preliminary Arborist Assessment
Design preparation
Review of Environmental Factors (REF) highlighting 13 heritage trees
Detailed arborist report on Heritage trees
Draft Statement of Heritage Impact (SOHI) development and review
Site visit with Bellingen Shire Council Heritage Advisor, Deborah Wray
Development of the Waterfall Way Offset Planting Plan in alignment with the SOHI

Assessment on Vegetation:

Staff undertook an extensive assessment of the pathway project and the potential impact on existing vegetation. The findings indicated that numerous aging trees have reached the natural conclusion of their life cycles, displaying structural defects that present significant safety and maintenance concerns.

The following issues were identified:

Eight Heritage trees on the north side of Waterfall Way

Trees are damaging the existing kerb and channel causing drainage issues.
Trees clash with proposed footpath alignment.
A number of the trees are exhibiting poor health and/or structural issues.
The arborist report provided a recommendation for 7 of the 8 trees to be removed.

Five Heritage Trees on south side of Waterfall Way

These five (5) trees are the remnants of a full corridor of trees on this side of the road. The other trees may have died or been removed.
The remaining five (5) trees have been subject to repeated topping due to the overhead powerlines and have very low aesthetic value.
The fragmented nature of this row of trees mean that it no longer presents as an avenue.

Five Non-Heritage trees on the north side of Waterfall Way

Three (3) trees recommended for removal due to structural issues.
Two (2) trees require removal for footpath construction.

Replacement Planting

It is considered that the ‘Avenue’ like character of the trees is the primary heritage consideration. The following offset planting is included in the “Waterfall Way Offset Planting Plan”

Offset planting along the boundary of the Bellingen Golf Club- including infill adjacent to the Street Trees heritage site and additional new plantings east of the Bellingen High School entrance
Offset planting around the carpark near the Bellingen High School entrance
Retention of the citrus planning along the northern boundary of Connell Park,
Infill planting of the row of trees along the western boundary of Connell Park (intersection of Prince Street and Waterfall Way).

View the final plan: Waterfall-Way-Offset-Planting-Plan.pdf(PDF, 3MB)

Community Impacts

There may be traffic control on the road during construction, meaning there may be some delays through work zones. During any major disruptions, notifications to the community will be provided via online channels.