Community members have backed a call for trees to be replanted along Fitzroy Street as part of a $14 million upgrade of a major Dubbo intersection.
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"Disgusting" was how one resident greeted this week's removal of the jacarandas that had provided shade in the block in central Dubbo, and she was not alone among Daily Liberal readers.
The views were shared in response to Mark Gardner's urging of the state's road authorities that it was "possible to have a road redevelopment and trees".
But some readers wanted the upgrade of the Fitzroy and Cobra streets intersection to move ahead, and with "no traffic hazards in the middle of the road".
Transport for NSW confirmed it was carrying out early work for the $14 million upgrade to the intersection, which is to improve safety and reduce congestion.
The removal of up to 20 jacarandas is part of the upgrade.
Transport for NSW western region director Alistair Lunn said the agency had funded the planting and additional 12 months maintenance of 20 advanced jacaranda trees in Elston Park in 2016 to offset the loss of the trees.
But resident of the block Mark Gardner said trees in the park would not provide shade on the street and other readers shared his opinion.
"Some new trees must be planted," John Gibson said in a post to the Daily Liberal's Facebook page.
"I know this decision wasn't down to council (others have been), but it astounds me that a city like Dubbo has fewer street trees than nearly every other regional city I have been to."
Mary Reeves said with summer at Dubbo "you need trees in the street for some shade" because cars were boiling.
Julie Long said it was "bloody disgusting".
Jena-Renee Squires said she saw the trees getting the chop.
"It looks terrible," she said.
Belinda Edmondson questioned the road authorities.
"Now that it is done and dusted, [let's] watch this space to see what RMS does to replace the green infrastructure it has torn down," she said.
"I will be watching to see if those traffic lights work wonders RMS. If it doesn't what then RMS."
Bryce Esdaile supported the intersection upgrade.
"[Four] lanes on arterial roads are long overdue just get it done instead of putting traffic hazards in the middle of the road," he said.
HAVE YOUR SAY
Faye Wheeler
I have been a journalist for more than a decade and in that time I have been keeping Daily Liberal readers up to date about issues affecting them and what's happening in their community. Throughout my career I have covered a range of rounds and most recently I have been focusing on the business round.
I have been a journalist for more than a decade and in that time I have been keeping Daily Liberal readers up to date about issues affecting them and what's happening in their community. Throughout my career I have covered a range of rounds and most recently I have been focusing on the business round.
