Banyan Street - street trees and the link to the foreshore

Banyan Street provides a key link between the Princes Highway (Raglan Parade) and the Foreshore precinct which includes Lake Pertobe, Lady Bay and Flagstaff Hill.

Council has identified the need to improve the amenity of this intersection and to more strongly denote the entry to the Foreshore precinct.

Over recent years issues about Banyan Street trees have been raised by the community.

The purpose of this consultation is to seek community input on priorities and landscaping options for Banyan Street.

The elements of this project under consideration listed below.

1. Choice of street tree for Banyan Street
2. Future of two Moreton Bay figs in the Raglan Parade median that have been heavily pruned for powerline clearance and visibility of traffic lights
3. Removal and possible replacement of barriers at the intersections.
4. Development of an installation that would include a donated surf rescue boat placed on the Raglan Parade median to indicate that beach access is via Banyan Street.

When making a decision on the first element – choice of street tree – Council will balance the views of Banyan Street residents with those of the wider community.

You can have a say on one or all of these elements via the survey at the bottom of the page.

Additional background

Tree planting along Banyan Street

The narrow median from Raglan Parade presents some challenges in terms of the types of trees that can be accommodated.

The median strip is narrow and has sandy, rocky soil.

As a key linkage a higher tree canopy is required to provide access for a wide range of vehicle types.

Options include having a consistent theme along the entire street, or having different themes for each block.

Existing blocks between Lava and Timor streets have a Norfolk Island pine theme which is incomplete. Options for consideration include to enhance and extend the Norfolk Island pines or remove and replace.

Street tree options

Washingtonia robusta

Washingtonia robusta (Mexican fan palm or Mexican washingtonia) is a palm tree native to western Sonora, and Baja California Sur in northwestern Mexico. It is reportedly naturalized in Florida, California, Hawaii, Texas, parts of the Canary Islands, Italy, Spain, and Réunion.Source: Wikipedia. This tree is not included in the Street Tree Policy but is listed here as a suitable alternative for this high profile link.

 

Banksia integrifolia

Banksia integrifolia, commonly known as Coastal Banksia, is a species of tree that grows along the east coast of Australia. It is highly variable in form, but is most often encountered as a tree up to 25m in height; it’s a popular choice for parks and streetscapes.

Lophostemon confertus (Brushbox)

Lophostemon confertus is a tree native to Australia, though it can be found elsewhere and is commonly found as a street tree in Sydney and Melbourne. It has high tolerance for smog, drought and poor drainage. It also has denser foliage and hence provides more shade than eucalypts; it can reach heights of 40 metres or more.

 

Araucaria heterophylla (Norfolk Island Pine)

This has been planted widely in central Warrnambool streets and along the foreshore. Some specimens have also been planted in Banyan Street. It is a distinctive conifer and can reach up to 50–65 metres in height, with straight vertical trunks and symmetrical branches.

Moreton Bay figs

Two Moreton Bay figs in the Raglan Parade median strip at the eastern edge of Banyan Street have been heavily pruned to comply with powerline clearance laws.

The pruning also assists with the visibility of the traffic lights.

Over the years the Moreton Bay figs have lifted sections of the footpath and because they have been heavily pruned this has impacted on the overall appearance of the boulevard.

 

Pedestrian treatments at the intersections of Banyan and Koroit and Banyan and Lava streets

Various intersections currently have steel rails at each corner to direct pedestrians to crossing points - see picture below.

These older structures are out of step with more recent city centre improvements.

Council is interested in hearing from the community about whether these rails should be retained or whether they should be replaced with softer treatments more in keeping with other intersections.

These alternative treatments could include low growing garden beds, bollard and chain or rope or posts and stainless steel cable.

 

 

Wayfinding to the Foreshore Precinct

Council has received feedback over the years that beach wayfinding should be clearer and more prominent.

This is particularly important for visitors.

Council has been gifted a surf lifesaving boat which could be used to create a wayfinding installation at the intersection of Raglan Parade and Banyan Street.

The artist's illustration below is an example of how this might appear.

To have your say on these Banyan Street landscape elements please complete the survey below.

The survey will close on December 7, 2018.