Coastal slopes & basin

This is the general area situated just back from the frontline coastal zone and extending inland towards the ridgetops of Waverley, Bondi and Dover Heights. The coastal conditions of salt laden winds and strong on-shore winds still predominate and influence the growth and success of tree planting. Many taller buildings offer some protection for the smaller and medium sized trees; however, some of the taller growing species show the effects of coastal exposure.

The areas include the ridgetops and east/south facing slopes from Vaucluse and Dover Heights, Bondi Beach and the Bondi basin, and the streets extending inward from Tamarama and Bronte beaches. The more exposed southern facing slopes are the most affected.

Streetscape Character

The streets in Dover Heights and Vaucluse generally have wide grassy footpaths with no overhead wires – good site conditions for tree planting. Around North Bondi and Bondi the smaller commercial areas also have wide footpaths with no overhead wires but many are concreted or paved with small cut-outs for existing trees. Away from these commercial areas the streets narrow in size with corresponding narrow footpaths and naturestrips; overhead wires are more common restricting the range of suitable trees that can be used

Dominant Trees

Common nameBotanical name
Coastal BanksiaBanksia integrifolia
PaperbarkMelaleuca quinquenervia
BottlebrushCallistemon 'Kings Park Special'
Bracelet Honey MyrtleMelaleuca armillaris
TuckerooCupaniopsis anacardiodes
New Zealand Christmas BushMetrosideros excelsa
Norfolk Island HibiscusLagunaria patersonia

Issues and Considerations

  • Number of declining street trees (mostly New Zealand Christmas Bush Metrosideros excelsa)
  • Exposure to coastal winds and poor soil quality limits species selection
  • Low number of streets with overhead wires but views to the ocean need to be considered with species selection

Strategies

  • To create a distinctive local coastal character.
  • Improve planting conditions to increase rate of tree survival -

Actions

  • Choose trees from the accompanying table of coastal tolerant trees.
  • Increase width of planting hole to a minimum of one metre and incorporate quality native soil mix and water crystals
  • Maximise the width of concrete cut-outs for new trees and incorporate root barriers to minimise any potential footpath damage

Preferred Tree Species

SizeCommon nameBotanical name
Small

(to 6 metres)		Fringed WattleAcacia fimbriata
Dwarf AppleAngophora hispida
Lemon-Scented BottlebrushCallistemon citrinus *
Weeping BottlebrushCallistemon ‘Dawson River’
BottlebrushCallistemon 'Kings Park Special' *
Port Jackson PineCallitris rhomboidea
Port Jackson MalleeEucalyptus obstans
Coastal Tea TreeLeptospermum laevigatum
Bracelet Honey MyrtleMelaleuca armillaris
White Feather Honey MyrtleMelaleuca decora *
Medium

(6 to 12 metres)		Red AppleAcmena ingens
Purple-leafed Willow MyrtleAgonis flexuosa ‘After Dark’
Forest OakAllocasuarina torulosa
Lemon MyrtleBackhousia citriodora
Coastal BanksiaBanksia integrifolia
Saw BanksiaBanksia serrata
Illawarra Flame treeBrachychiton acerifolius *
TuckerooCupaniopsis anacardioides
Blueberry AshElaeocarpus reticulatus
Scribbly GumEucalyptus haemastoma
Red-leafed Hibiscus TreeHibiscus 'Rubra'
New Zealand Christmas BushMetrosideros spp
Large

(over 12 metres)		Sydney Red GumAngophora costata *
Cook Island Pine or New Caledonia PineAraucaria columnaris
Norfolk Island PineAraucaria heterophylla
Yellow BloodwoodCorymbia eximia
Cabbage Tree PalmLivistona australis
Fine-leafed PaperbarkMelaleuca leucadendra *
Broad-leafed PaperbarkMelaleuca quinquenervia
Cotton PalmWashingtonia robusta

*= may only be available from specialist native nurseries