The Newcastle Inner City Bypass is collaborating with several agencies to mitigate impacts to native plant species across the project site, including the vulnerable Tetratheca juncea (Black-eyed Susan). Transport for NSW, the Hunter Region Landcare Network, Trees in Newcastle and Fulton Hogan have collaborated to collect plant species before impact by the Newcastle Inner City Bypass – Rankin Park to Jesmond project. The conservation efforts included salvage of the vulnerable Tetratheca juncea (Black-eyed Susan). As part of the salvage of the threatened species, the team carried out the collection of seeds, cuttings and other native plant material to use at their nursery located at Redhead, Lake Macquarie. Plant propagation of various species, including a range of Eucalyptus, is already underway in nurseries managed by Landcare and Trees in Newcastle. Seed has been collected from felled trees that are otherwise difficult to collect due to their height. On top of this work, the project team has also salvaged suitable trees to be reused as bridge timber in the maintenance of Transport’s heritage bridges. In addition, suitable felled timber has been provided to Local Land Services for reuse in river restoration projects and to local Indigenous people to produce cultural weapons and tools to enable the continuation of cultural practices. The historic Araucaria bidwillii (Bunya pine tree) from the Jesmond roundabout has also been donated to a local guitar making school while appropriate timber will be reused onsite for fauna habitat and rehabilitation during landscaping. Revisions throughout the design process have seen the project corridor moved east from the original design alignment to minimise the impacts to flora, in particular to threatened species. Clearing within the project boundary has been reduced to the greatest extent practicable, resulting in around an eight-hectare reduction in native vegetation clearing against the 44-hectare limit originally approved for the project. Biodiversity offsets have been provided in accordance with the NSW Biodiversity Offsets Policy for Major Projects. This includes 3,244 ecosystem credits and 12,690 species credits. This includes offsetting for fringe impacts to the existing bushland. Sonia Hornery, Member for Wallsend: “The Newcastle Inner City Bypass will provide traffic relief for the local community by removing up to 30,000 vehicles each day from the existing route of Lookout Road, Croudace Street and Newcastle Road. “A key benefit of this project is Transport for NSW’s commitment to the preservation and restoration of native plant biodiversity, particularly for threatened species like Tetratheca juncea. “By valuing plant rehabilitation, the project ensures the ecological health of the area is maintained, supporting local wildlife, and sustaining the region’s natural environment for future generations.” Sharon Claydon, Member for Newcastle: “Newcastle expects major projects to proceed while protecting the precious environment that makes our region so special – that’s exactly what this work is doing. We’re delivering critical infrastructure while safeguarding vulnerable species like the Black-eyed Susan.” “This is smart, responsible project delivery. By redesigning the corridor and working with our incredible local Landcare groups, we’re keeping native plants in the landscape and reducing impacts wherever possible.” “The Newcastle Inner City Bypass will ease congestion for tens of thousands of motorists, and these environmental protections mean we can do it without sacrificing the natural environment our community values so deeply.”