Port Pirie Regional Council (Council) received funding from the State Government for Greening Port Pirie with a focus on lead abatement initiatives, to be delivered across four (4) years for specific projects.

One of these projects has been the improvement of the Solomontown area including planting of trees, installation of water sensitive urban design (WSUD) infrastructure and sealing of footpaths.

Council partnered with the Targeted Lead Abatement Program (TLAP) to seal the footpaths so that footpath sweeping can take place on a regular basis to reduce lead dust.

Tree planting and sealed footpaths will improve the overall streetscape and Council has a monitoring program so that the benefits of these improvements can be tracked and measured over time.

Some of these benefits will include:

• Increased tree canopy cover and overall greening
• Reduced on ground heat
• Reduced dust in the street environment
• Improve the overall amenity in the street environment

The improvements have been delivered in several stages as listed below.

1. Tree Trimming and Removal

An initial assessment was carried out of the existing trees.  Some trees were trimmed while others had to be removed due to poor condition, form or shape.

Where trees were removed, replacement trees have been planted as Council’s intent is to increase the overall tree planting and landscaping in this area.

2. Kerb works

Some sections of kerb and water table have been replaced to ensure that stormwater run-off flows smoothly and can be captured for the purposes of watering the street trees.

3. Sealing of footpaths

New concrete footpaths have been constructed. Where a concrete footpath already existed or where the footpath had been recently sealed and in good condition, the footpath was not replaced.

The new footpaths were constructed to a minimum width of 1.5m to allow for a suitable width for tree planting. In some cases, the minimum width may have been reduced to 1.2m however this was only in isolated locations to enable the planting of a single tree.

Above: Council's contractors completing the footpath construction process

4. Water Sensitive Urban Design

Water Sensitive Urban Design (WSUD) is the name given to the capture of stormwater run-off from the road for the purposes of watering the street trees. TreeNET inlets were cut into the kerb and water table and connected to an underground container which will hold the stormwater run-off. More information can be found at www.spacedownunder.com.au

Downpipes from houses have also been connected into the WSUD system. Where the downpipe is already connected to the kerb and water table these remained connected and where the downpipe does not extend to the kerb and water table, a connection point was provided at the property boundary for residents to connect to.

An overflow mechanism has been built into the WSUD system so that the stormwater does not back up into properties. Each system has an inspection point for flushing and additional watering if and when required.

5. Tree planting and garden beds

Where there are existing trees or where new trees have been planted, garden beds with low ground cover have been planted. The ground cover species are a mixture of native ground covers, grasses and shrubs and examples of these can be found on the list below.

The species for new trees planted under the overhead powerlines is Cupaniopis anacardioides (Tuckeroo) with Pyrus chanticleer (Ornamental pear) planted on the opposite side of the street where no overhead powerlines were present.

Tree and Ground Cover Species List

Council has implemented a watering program during extended periods of warm or dry weather to give the trees the best chance to establish and if residents wish to give trees extra water this would be much appreciated as it would enhance growth.

It should be noted that the roads in this area will not be resealed as part of these improvement works as Council’s roads are resealed according to the Asset Renewal Program and these roads will be done when each road is due for resealing.