A just-released development application for the construction of sports facilities at Bloomfield reveals about 500 more trees will need to be chopped down.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
However, the DA for the next stage of Orange's $25 million sporting precinct does outline extensive replacement with new trees.
The DA, which goes on public exhibition on Wednesday, shows plans for a football stadium with a 1500-seat grandstand and ground seating for 6500 people plus an athletics stadium with seating for 450-550 people.
There will be more trees planted there than are going out
- Cr Reg Kidd, Orange mayor
It says the extent of earthworks needed for the stadiums and sports fields will mean more trees than previously planned for will need to be cut.
It was originally proposed 513 trees would go however Heritage NSW granted initial approval for 203 trees to be removed and that work has started.
But the new DA says 695 trees and shrubs need to go.
"Since [the first DA] was lodged further development of the concept design has occurred and additional trees have been identified as needing removal in order to facilitate the proposed development," the report says.
"Trees will typically be felled and chipped, however sound smaller examples may well be transplanted to other sites, or elsewhere within the site, for reuse, particularly the ornamental species such as Liquidambar Pin Oak, Elm and Silver Birch. This would be dependent on the availability of machinery and the health of trees."
With most of the trees to go being radiata pine the report says an extensive replacement project involving native trees would be undertaken including the creation of an avenue of trees in the precinct.
About 40 significant trees will be protected during the construction works.
Orange mayor Reg Kidd said replacing pines with natives would encourage birdlife in the area.
"There will be more trees planted there than are going out," Cr Kidd said.
He said Orange would gain state-of-the-art facilities including finally having an athletics stadium.
Cr Kidd said the main stadium was set down and shaded from view from Forest Road. "Going along Forest Road you won't even see it. It is down. That's been quite deliberate," he said.
The DA states 1193 car parking spaces will be provided near the two stadiums and in existing spots on Forest Road.
It said the main stadium's facilities would include a gym, cafe, corporate boxes, meeting rooms, change rooms, a referees room, medical room and a media room.
The athletics stadium's facilities will include a canteen area including seating, change rooms, sporting offices, photo and communications rooms, a warm up area and a first aid area.
The work would be done in three stages starting with earthworks, construction of the athletics centre and finally the sports stadium.
The DA will be decided by the Western Regional Planning Panel and it is on exhibition until October 13.
Our journalists work hard to provide local, up-to-date news to the community. This is how you can continue to access our trusted content:
- Bookmark www.centralwesterndaily.com.au
- Make sure you are signed up for our breaking and regular headlines newsletters
- Follow us on Twitter
- Follow us on Instagram
- Catch up on our news headlines at Google News
HAVE YOUR SAY
- Send us a letter to the editor using the form below ...