Recognise the value that existing vegetation has to character and amenity and work to retain it.
Benefits
- Retains elements contributing to existing landscape character
- Provides immediate shade where near to areas dedicated to walking and cycling
- Provides benefits immediately rather than requiring new planting to mature
Considerations
- Will potentially need barriers if retained close to travel lanes
- May need additional land to be purchased where existing root zones are extensive
Reference
TfNSW Guide
TS 01592 Beyond the Pavement, Principle five
Further information
Retention of vegetation can also improve biodiversity such as on the Pacific Motorway near Nambucca Head where trees in the median assists fauna to access arboreal crossing poles to navigate across the corridor.
Example
Camden Valley Way at Leppington retains existing vegetation in the verge and as part of a median which was deliberately widened to allow as many of them to be retained as possible. Two control lines were created allowing each carriageway to align optimally and create a best fit around the median area. This arrangement also allowed additional trees to be planted between those retained, increasing canopy cover.
Details
Location:
Camden Valley Way, Leppington near George Road
Agency responsible:
TfNSW
Application
| Local streets | Main streets | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Residential lane |  | Destination high street | |
| Residential way |  | Transit street | |
| Yield street | | Connector avenue | |
| Neighbourhood street | | Arterial high street | |
| Connector street | | Transit arterial | |
| Urban centre street | | ||
| Enterprise street | | ||
| Main roads | Civic spaces | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Transit only corridor | | Civic high street | |
| Rural link | | Transit mall | |
| Rural highway | | Civic lane | |
| Secondary arterial | | Service lane | |
| Principal arterial | | ||
| Motorway | | ||
Legend
| Appropriate treatment |
 | Use with caution |
 | Inappropriate treatment |
| Not applicable |