The planting of a mixture of some 445 new and established native and other trees in Bicentennial Park and other locations around the Sydney Olympic Park precinct commenced in July and will continue over the next six months.  The mass planting program is being co-ordinated by the Homebush Motor Racing Authority, the Sydney Olympic Park Authority and V8 Supercars Australia to compensate for a number of trees recently removed from the precinct in preparation for the Sydney Telstra 500 street race.

The planting program will replace three trees for every one removed from median strips along the race circuit. These trees are anticipated to have a much longer growth period, being located in a safer location than the road median strips.

The Manchurian Pear trees that were growing along the roadway in Murray Rose Avenue and Dawn Fraser Avenue have been removed and replanted in Bicentennial Park.  

The mass tree planting and transplantation program strictly conforms to the requirements of the Sydney Olympic Park Authority Master Plan for tree planting which includes:-

• Planting appropriate species of trees in the precinct;
• Ensuring vigorous and healthy new tree stock;
• Transplanting existing trees to be done professionally;
• Planting sites to be suitably prepared;
• Timing of planting to coincide with the best growing conditions and;
• An expert in arboriculture and horticulture to supervise the planting program.
  

Sydney Telstra 500 Race Circuit Update

The first stage of the construction of the Sydney Telstra 500 race track at the intersection of Dawn Fraser Avenue and Olympic Boulevard was completed in July. The works raised the level of the road in a small localised area by up to 250mm to ensure a smooth even surface for the race track.   The remaining civil works are well underway.

Circuit Map

An updated circuit map can be downloaded below.

Parking Issues

A parking study is being undertaken by Auburn Council in conjunction with the Homebush Motor Racing Authority to potentially help unravel parking congestion, caused by major events in and around Sydney Olympic Park. The Homebush Motor Racing Authority is working with Auburn Council to come up with workable solutions in time for the Sydney Telstra 500 V8 Supercar event to be held between 4 and 6 December 2009.

The first stage of the study has commenced with residents of Newington being surveyed to determine their support or otherwise for a special event parking scheme.

Business Briefings

The first round of the Sydney Telstra 500 Business Briefings was very well attended with over 135 businesses either in or close to Sydney Olympic Park hearing from representatives of both V8 Supercars Australia and Abergeldie Complex Infrastructure about the event and the works required to construct the race circuit.

Further meetings are scheduled for October and stakeholders will be contacted with due notice.