WHERE towering fig trees once dominated the streetscape, grass trees and weeping lilly pillies now provide a more contemporary Australian vibe.
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Toronto’s main street, The Boulevarde, has a new look and a more cosmopolitan vibe following completion of more than $4 million in streetscape works.
Mayor Kay Fraser and key Lake Macquarie City Council staff met with local businesses on Wednesday to mark the official completion of the project.
The Toronto Streetscape Master Plan has delivered wide level footpaths, outdoor dining areas, shade structures and new landscaping with improved view corridors to the lake, enhancing the aesthetic and pedestrian appeal of the busy town centre.
Not all locals, however, are impressed.
They lament the loss of the town’s distinctive fig trees. It was the figs that gave the town its character, they reckon, and when the figs were removed, the town’s character was lost, too.
Cr Fraser conceded the figs were magnificent, but they had to go.
“It was unfortunate. We all love our fig trees. But there was no way we could complete the streetscape works with the fig trees here,” she said.
For all of the character the fig trees provided, it came at considerable cost.
Their invasive root systems were buckling footpaths and buildings, and blocking water and sewerage pipes.
“We couldn’t spend $4 million here to have it damaged by big fig trees,” Cr Fraser said.
Project manager Prashant Lamichhane said a new character was developing for the main street.
“We’ve planted a native species called weeping lilly pillies, and we expect them to grow to around eight to 10 metres once they are fully mature, and it’s going to create a nice canopy,” Mr Lamichhane said.
Twenty-two of the trees had been planted, he said, along with many grass trees and other native species.
“The whole idea is we want to make sure the town looks a lot more modern than it did before.”
Mr Lamichhane said as the lilly pillies grew, they would create a streetscape which, in his view, would exceed anything Toronto had previously seen.
Toronto Chamber of Commerce secretary Brenda Hartmire said the new promenade-style footpaths made it much easier to get around and visitors were making good use of the new seating and other facilities.
“Toronto business owners are very keen to show off our new town centre and we encourage people to come and enjoy the improved shopping and dining environment,” Ms Hartmire said.
Cr Fraser again acknowledged the disruption that the construction works had temporarily caused for shoppers and businesses on The Boulevarde.
“I know it’s been a bit difficult at times for the shop owners, and I acknowledge that, but I think at the end of the day now they’d (the shop owners) would be very pleased with the outcome,” she said.
During the works, Cr Fraser made it a priority to have lunch once a week at eateries on The Boulevarde, as a show of her support.
She said she enjoyed it so much, Toronto had continued to be a regular destination.
“I still continue to do that (have lunch in Toronto). Even though I live on the eastern side of the lake, I love it here,” she said.
“I love Toronto. I think it’s a great shopping centre, with a great atmosphere and beautiful scenery.”
The mayor said Toronto would now reap the benefits of the council’s investment in the town.
“It looks absolutely fantastic. I’m so proud of what we’ve achieved here in Toronto,” she said.
“It’s going to be a boost for the local economy and for local businesses.
“I want to congratulate all of the council staff who’ve been involved, especially CiviLake who have been here day and night to deliver this project.”