But the shade and towering greenery provided by the trees came at a price.

The invasive root systems of the figs buckled the road surface and footpath, created pedestrian tripping hazards, and attacked pipes.

Lake Macquarie City Council said the figs simply had to go.

And so the chainsaws were brought in last year in what was the starting point for delivery of the council’s $4.1 million Toronto Streetscape Master Plan.

With the troublesome figs gone, council is now getting on with the job of laying new footpaths, creating car parking spaces, and planting new trees and gardens.

A small completed section out the front of Best and Less has given locals a glimpse of how their CBD strip will look.

The early reviews are glowing: president of the Greater Toronto Chamber of Commerce, Stephen Cull, said all of the feedback about the works from businesses had been positive.

And, residents, too, are impressed, if shoppers at Best and Less are a guide.

“Pretty much all of the customers who talk to us about the works are positive about it,” Best and Less relieving manager Sharyn Wills said.

The footpath at the front of the store had been one of the worst affected by the buckling. Ms Wills said her staff were aware of several people who had suffered falls outside the shop.

But the area has since been transformed into a smooth walkway with landscaping, a garden, and steps.

The council said the objective of the master plan was to improve access, help modernise the town centre, and boost economic activity.

The master plan comprises eight stages, with work on Stage 2 nearing completion.

“The current stage of construction will be complete in the next two weeks, which will see additional trees planted in the specially designed tree pits,” a spokesperson for the council said.

As the project progresses, locals will start to see the installation of new street furniture, and improved lighting and seating.

In the meantime, disruption for shoppers, businesses and motorists during the work will be inevitable, a fact the council said it was acutely aware of.

“We are working closely with the community on this project to plan the necessary disruptions around businesses as much as possible,” the council said.

That has included council working at night.

“We are confident that the work will provide both economic benefits and to the community overall.”

Construction is expected to be completed by early 2018, the spokesperson said.