Trees

Tree Offset Strategy

Transport for NSW worked with the City of Parramatta to develop the Parramatta Light Rail Tree Offset Strategy. The strategy improved tree outcomes by planting new street trees and contributing to urban greening across the Parramatta local government area.

The strategy provided key principles for the selection of species and locations for the trees to be planted along the light rail alignment and within its vicinity such as streets, local parks and reserves.

An interactive online map is available on the City of Parramatta Council’s website showing the locations of the tree plantings delivered as part of the Parramatta Light Rail Tree Planting program.

Native plants and trees near the Parramatta Light Rail 'Green track' in Cumberland. Copyright State of New South Wales (Transport for NSW).

Why were new trees being planted?

Trees were planted to replace any trees removed to enable the construction and operation of the light rail.

Transport for NSW partnered with the City of Parramatta Council to plant at least 2500 new trees. Separately, Transport for NSW is planted an additional 3000 trees across the Parramatta local government area as part of the light rail project. 

New trees were planted at a ratio of 2:1, 4:1 or to 8:1, depending on the diameter of the tree removed.

New trees were planted:

• in and around the Parramatta Light Rail route
• in streets that urban heat mapping had shown were the hottest in the local government area.

How many trees were removed?

Transport for NSW is committed to retaining or replacing trees wherever possible. The 2017 Parramatta Light Rail Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) estimated that between 1900 and 2650 trees could be removed as part of the project.

This was required because some trees were in the path of the planned light rail network, and others needed to be removed to enable construction work. The majority were not large or rated ‘high retention value’ as determined by an independent arborist.

The removal of vegetation and trees was completed in accordance with the relevant approved Flora and Fauna Management Plans. These outlined how flora and fauna would be managed during Parramatta Light Rail construction. An independent arborist was responsible for reviewing and approving trees proposed to be removed.

Mature fig trees along the route

Five mature fig trees and 76 fig tree cuttings were planted to replace a cluster of seven fig trees within the Cumberland Hospital precinct and three fig trees from the western boundary of Robin Thomas Reserve, Parramatta, that need to be removed for light rail works.

The mature fig trees and cuttings will be planted over the course of the next few years, once the fig tree cuttings reach above one metre in height.

Determining a tree's value

The trees that were removed varied in size and species. The majority were not large or rated ‘high retention value’. A ‘retention value’ of ‘high’, ‘medium’ or ‘low’, was determined by an independent arborist. This was done by using a combination of values for each tree, including:

• environmental
• cultural
• physical
• social.

This is done according to the Institute of Australian Consulting Arboriculturists (IACA) Significance of a Tree Assessment Rating System (STARS).

Environmental analysis along Parramatta Light Rail route. Copyright State of New South Wales (Transport for NSW).

Size and species of new trees

Transport for NSW collaborated with the City of Parramatta Council on the selection of new tree species, size and planting locations. The species included:

• crepe myrtle
• spotted gum
• brush box
• magnolia.

A mixture of native and exotic tree species were chosen to provide:

• habitat
• shade
• colour
• diversity.

This followed careful consideration of current tree performance in the local Parramatta area and the specific constraints of each street, such as overhead power lines and underground services.