Decision details

Moved by Councillor Phelps, seconded by Councillor Vithoulkas -

It is resolved that:

(A)        Council note:

(i)          a 2019 Australian study entitled 'Association of Urban Green Space with Mental Health and General Health Among Adults in Australia' by Thomas Astell-Burt PHD and Xiaoqi Feng PhD has found that urban communities with a healthy amount of tree cover - not just grass and green space - were psychologically healthier than those that didn’t;

(ii)         in neighbourhoods with a tree canopy of 30 per cent or more, adults had 31 per cent lower odds of developing psychological distress, and 33 per cent lower odds of rating their general health as “fair” or “poor” over six years. Urban green spaces with open grass rather than a tree canopy did not deliver the same benefits;

(iii)        the City has plans to increase its total canopy cover from 15.5 per cent to 23.5 per cent by 2030 and to 27.3 per cent by 2050;

(iv)       the City of Sydney's Urban Forest Strategy found Glebe already has 21 to 25 per cent canopy cover, the second highest level after Centennial Park;

(v)         the City has proposed installing a two-metre-wide, planted median strip down the centre of Boyce Street between Bell Street and Glen Lane, to “increase tree canopy in the street as well as increasing safety by reducing vehicle speeds”;

(vi)       the residents of Boyce Street, along with Glebe Police, have expressed concerns and object to the building of this median strip due to issues including but not limited to:

(a)        increased safety issues and delays for residents who live and park on Boyce Street;

(b)        increased likelihood of damage to parked cars by trucks and wide vehicles, given the maximum of three metres drivable space, and removalist truck requirements of 2.5 metres; and

(c)         impact on accessibility for emergency vehicles;

(vii)      the petition by the residents of Boyce Street in objection to the proposed median strip tabled at the 9 September 2019 Council meeting; and

(viii)     the matter has been deferred until the City comes up with a viable solution for Boyce Street that meets residents' concerns; and

(B)        the Chief Executive Officer be requested to:

(i)          continue to look for opportunities to increase tree canopy in the City of Sydney local government area in consultation with the local communities directly affected;

(ii)         confirm the permanent cancellation of the planned median strip on Boyce Street, Glebe; and

(iii)        ensure any future plans regarding a median strip or other traffic calming and beautification measures in Boyce Street, Glebe, involve prior consultation with residents of the affected street.

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Note – the above motion was not carried. The resolution below was carried –

(A)        Council note:

(i)          a 2019 Australian study entitled 'Association of Urban Green Space with Mental Health and General Health Among Adults in Australia' by Thomas Astell-Burt PHD and Xiaoqi Feng PhD has found that urban communities with a healthy amount of tree cover - not just grass and green space - were psychologically healthier than those that didn’t;

(ii)         in neighbourhoods with a tree canopy of 30 per cent or more, adults had 31 per cent lower odds of developing psychological distress, and 33 per cent lower odds of rating their general health as “fair” or “poor” over six years. Urban green spaces with open grass rather than a tree canopy did not deliver the same benefits;

(iii)        the City has plans to increase its total canopy cover from 15.5 per cent to 23.5 per cent by 2030 and to 27.3 per cent by 2050;

(iv)       the City of Sydney's Urban Forest Strategy found Glebe already has 21 to 25 per cent canopy cover, the second highest level after Centennial Park;

(v)         the City has proposed installing a two-metre-wide, planted median strip down the centre of Boyce Street between Bell Street and Glen Lane, to “increase tree canopy in the street as well as increasing safety by reducing vehicle speeds”;

(vi)       the residents of Boyce Street, along with Glebe Police, have expressed concerns and object to the building of this median strip due to issues including but not limited to:

(a)        increased safety issues and delays for residents who live and park on Boyce Street;

(b)        increased likelihood of damage to parked cars by trucks and wide vehicles, given the maximum of three metres drivable space, and removalist truck requirements of 2.5 metres; and

(c)         impact on accessibility for emergency vehicles;

(vii)      the petition by the residents of Boyce Street in objection to the proposed median strip tabled at the 9 September 2019 Council meeting;

(viii)     in response to residents’ concerns, City of Sydney staff revised the design of the median strip;

(ix)       the Lord Mayor met with Boyce Street residents on 23 October 2019 and agreed to write to the Commissioner for Fire and Rescue, and Superintendent Stathis Zone Commander;

(x)         City of Sydney staff will investigate whether tree canopy can be increased in Boyce Street; and

(xi)       City of Sydney staff will investigate Canada Bay Council’s use of white asphalt to reduce the urban heat island effect, and will report back to Boyce Street residents.

The motion, as varied by consent, was carried unanimously.

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