King William Street Tree Planting - Stage 2

PROJECT UPDATE: OCTOBER 2026

Revised planting approach:

Following the initial community consultation undertaken between 22 May and 12 June 2026, the City reviewed the feedback received regarding the proposed central median tree planting along King William Street, between Guildford Road and the entrance to Eric Singleton Bird Sanctuary at Riverside Gardens.

While the consultation demonstrated general support for increased tree canopy and streetscape improvements, concerns were raised regarding road width, traffic movements, parking availability and potential congestion. A number of respondents also expressed a preference for verge planting rather than central median planting.

Following consideration of this feedback and further discussions with Elected Members, the City revised the Stage 2 approach to provide new street trees within the existing road verges instead of the originally proposed central median arrangement.

The revised approach retained the project's objectives of increasing tree canopy, improving shade, enhancing streetscape amenity and creating a greener connection between the Bayswater Town Centre and Swan River, while addressing community concerns regarding the central median proposal.

The works are currently anticipated to be undertaken between late October and early November 2026, subject to weather conditions, site conditions and operational requirements.

PROJECT UPDATE: AUGUST 2026

Community consultation for the proposed King William Street Stage 2 tree planting project was undertaken via Engage Bayswater from 22 May 2026 to 12 June 2026.

A total of 41 written submissions were received on Engage Bayswater in addition to seven e-mails during the consultation period. The City also consulted with two community groups on King William St – Enviro House and Halliday House in addition to a session with the Bayswater Tree Canopy Advocates group.

Respondent profile:

Respondents primarily became aware of the project through –

  • Resident letter drops
  • Community social media pages
  • Word of mouth
  • Engage Bayswater

Respondent locations:

  • On King William St – 15
  • On streets running off King William St – 10
  • Other (City of Bayswater residents) – 23

This indicates a strong level of feedback from directly impacted residents, particularly those living on or near King William St.

Overall sentiment:

Overall community sentiment was mixed but generally supportive.

Broadly:

  • Strongly supportive/supportive: 26 out of 48
  • Neutral / mixed support with concern: 6 out of 48
  • Opposed / strongly oppose: 16 out of 48

Key themes - Supportive feedback:

The majority of supportive respondents highlighted the following benefits:

  • Increased tree canopy and shade
  • Strong support for more street trees across Bayswater
  • Recognition that additional canopy will improve urban cooling and comfort
  • Several respondents requested even more tree planting across other streets

Common feedback included:

  • “The more trees the better”
  • “Great initiative”
  • “Please plant more trees across Bayswater”
  • Improved amenity and streetscape

Respondents noted the proposal would:

  • Improve visual appeal of King William Street
  • Create a greener connection to Eric Singleton Bird Sanctuary and the river
  • Enhance neighbourhood character
  • Traffic calming benefits

A number of respondents supported the design because they believe it will:

  • Reduce speeding
  • Slow through-traffic
  • Improve pedestrian safety

Several residents noted speeding and unsafe vehicle behaviour is already an issue along this section of King William Street.

Key themes – Concerns/Objections

Road width and traffic movement - The most common concern related to the narrow width of King William Street along Stage 2.

Concerns included:

  • Reduced manoeuvrability for vehicles
  • Difficulty passing opposing traffic
  • Restricted access for service/delivery vehicles
  • Concerns for emergency vehicle access
  • Bus movements (Route 41)
  • Loss of on-street parking - Loss of on-street parking was a major concern for some residents and nearby users.
  • Overflow parking during events
  • Impact on nearby destinations including:
    1. Halliday House
    2. Enviro House
    3. Childcare/events
    4. Eric Singleton Bird Sanctuary

Preference for verge planting - A number of respondents supported tree planting generally but questioned the central median planting arrangement.

Suggestions included:

  • Plant trees on verges instead
  • Supplement with additional verge trees
  • Prioritise shade over visual greening

Main rationale:

  • Better pedestrian shade
  • Reduced impact on traffic
  • Less impact on parking

Other suggestions from respondents included:

  • Consider bike lane / cycling treatment
  • Install additional traffic calming measures
  • Widen sections of road where possible
  • Ensure tree species are appropriate for median planting
  • Improve protection of newly planted trees (bollards/stakes)

Summary:

Consultation indicates broad support for increasing tree canopy and greening King William Street, with many respondents recognising the amenity, shade and traffic calming benefits of the project.

The primary concerns raised relate to:

  • Road width constraints
  • Bus movements
  • Loss of on-street parking
  • Preference for verge planting over median planting

These submissions will be reviewed by officers and considered alongside technical design requirements, traffic management considerations and operational constraints prior to finalising the Stage 2 planting design.

BACKGROUND

Following the successful completion of Stage 1 planting in 2025, the City is proposing a second stage of tree planting along King William Street, Bayswater. Stage 2 will involve the planting of approximately 13 street trees from the intersection of King William Street and Guildford Road through to the entrance of the Eric Singleton Bird Sanctuary at Riverside Gardens.

This project forms part of the City's broader urban greening and street tree planting program and reflects the City's ongoing commitment to increasing tree canopy coverage, improving local amenity and creating greener, cooler and more attractive streetscapes.

The proposed planting is scheduled to occur during the 2026 winter planting season.

CONCEPT DESIGN

Due to the constrained width of King William Street, limited verge space and the presence of existing underground services, the proposed trees are planned to be installed within a painted central median treatment along the road corridor. The concept design has been developed to:

  • Avoid driveways, existing infrastructure and underground services
  • Maintain vehicle access to properties
  • Improve the visual character of the street
  • Provide a greening connection from the Bayswater town centre to the river
  • Assist in reducing vehicle speeds without the need for additional traffic calming infrastructure

A concept design showing the proposed tree locations can be viewed here. A large-scale hard copy is also available to view at the Bayswater Library.

The City has selected the following tree species based on their suitability for the area, consistent with Stage 1 planting and their ability to thrive in paved conditions.

  • Spotted Gum (Corymbia Maculata)
  • Coral Gum (Eucalyptus Torquata)

Residents should note that, due to the proposed central median tree planting arrangement and constrained road width, on-street parking along sections of King William Street will be restricted. Verge parking will, however, continue to be permitted, and additional parking is available within the car park located at the entrance to the Eric Singleton Bird Sanctuary.

For more information, please refer to the FAQs in the right-hand menu.

STAKEHOLDER ENGAGEMENT

Consultation on this concept design has been undertaken with community groups, and we are now inviting residents to review the proposal and share their feedback.

OPPORTUNITY FOR COMMUNITY COMMENT AND QUESTIONS

Prior to finalising the design, the City is inviting residents and users of King William Street to review the draft concept design and provide feedback.

Comments can be submitted using the form below.

Responses will be collected until 5pm, Friday 12 June 2026. Feedback received during the consultation period will be reviewed by the City and considered as part of the finalisation of the design.

PROJECT UPDATE: OCTOBER 2026

Revised planting approach:

Following the initial community consultation undertaken between 22 May and 12 June 2026, the City reviewed the feedback received regarding the proposed central median tree planting along King William Street, between Guildford Road and the entrance to Eric Singleton Bird Sanctuary at Riverside Gardens.

While the consultation demonstrated general support for increased tree canopy and streetscape improvements, concerns were raised regarding road width, traffic movements, parking availability and potential congestion. A number of respondents also expressed a preference for verge planting rather than central median planting.

Following consideration of this feedback and further discussions with Elected Members, the City revised the Stage 2 approach to provide new street trees within the existing road verges instead of the originally proposed central median arrangement.

The revised approach retained the project's objectives of increasing tree canopy, improving shade, enhancing streetscape amenity and creating a greener connection between the Bayswater Town Centre and Swan River, while addressing community concerns regarding the central median proposal.

The works are currently anticipated to be undertaken between late October and early November 2026, subject to weather conditions, site conditions and operational requirements.

PROJECT UPDATE: AUGUST 2026

Community consultation for the proposed King William Street Stage 2 tree planting project was undertaken via Engage Bayswater from 22 May 2026 to 12 June 2026.

A total of 41 written submissions were received on Engage Bayswater in addition to seven e-mails during the consultation period. The City also consulted with two community groups on King William St – Enviro House and Halliday House in addition to a session with the Bayswater Tree Canopy Advocates group.

Respondent profile:

Respondents primarily became aware of the project through –

  • Resident letter drops
  • Community social media pages
  • Word of mouth
  • Engage Bayswater

Respondent locations:

  • On King William St – 15
  • On streets running off King William St – 10
  • Other (City of Bayswater residents) – 23

This indicates a strong level of feedback from directly impacted residents, particularly those living on or near King William St.

Overall sentiment:

Overall community sentiment was mixed but generally supportive.

Broadly:

  • Strongly supportive/supportive: 26 out of 48
  • Neutral / mixed support with concern: 6 out of 48
  • Opposed / strongly oppose: 16 out of 48

Key themes - Supportive feedback:

The majority of supportive respondents highlighted the following benefits:

  • Increased tree canopy and shade
  • Strong support for more street trees across Bayswater
  • Recognition that additional canopy will improve urban cooling and comfort
  • Several respondents requested even more tree planting across other streets

Common feedback included:

  • “The more trees the better”
  • “Great initiative”
  • “Please plant more trees across Bayswater”
  • Improved amenity and streetscape

Respondents noted the proposal would:

  • Improve visual appeal of King William Street
  • Create a greener connection to Eric Singleton Bird Sanctuary and the river
  • Enhance neighbourhood character
  • Traffic calming benefits

A number of respondents supported the design because they believe it will:

  • Reduce speeding
  • Slow through-traffic
  • Improve pedestrian safety

Several residents noted speeding and unsafe vehicle behaviour is already an issue along this section of King William Street.

Key themes – Concerns/Objections

Road width and traffic movement - The most common concern related to the narrow width of King William Street along Stage 2.

Concerns included:

  • Reduced manoeuvrability for vehicles
  • Difficulty passing opposing traffic
  • Restricted access for service/delivery vehicles
  • Concerns for emergency vehicle access
  • Bus movements (Route 41)
  • Loss of on-street parking - Loss of on-street parking was a major concern for some residents and nearby users.
  • Overflow parking during events
  • Impact on nearby destinations including:
    1. Halliday House
    2. Enviro House
    3. Childcare/events
    4. Eric Singleton Bird Sanctuary

Preference for verge planting - A number of respondents supported tree planting generally but questioned the central median planting arrangement.

Suggestions included:

  • Plant trees on verges instead
  • Supplement with additional verge trees
  • Prioritise shade over visual greening

Main rationale:

  • Better pedestrian shade
  • Reduced impact on traffic
  • Less impact on parking

Other suggestions from respondents included:

  • Consider bike lane / cycling treatment
  • Install additional traffic calming measures
  • Widen sections of road where possible
  • Ensure tree species are appropriate for median planting
  • Improve protection of newly planted trees (bollards/stakes)

Summary:

Consultation indicates broad support for increasing tree canopy and greening King William Street, with many respondents recognising the amenity, shade and traffic calming benefits of the project.

The primary concerns raised relate to:

  • Road width constraints
  • Bus movements
  • Loss of on-street parking
  • Preference for verge planting over median planting

These submissions will be reviewed by officers and considered alongside technical design requirements, traffic management considerations and operational constraints prior to finalising the Stage 2 planting design.

BACKGROUND

Following the successful completion of Stage 1 planting in 2025, the City is proposing a second stage of tree planting along King William Street, Bayswater. Stage 2 will involve the planting of approximately 13 street trees from the intersection of King William Street and Guildford Road through to the entrance of the Eric Singleton Bird Sanctuary at Riverside Gardens.

This project forms part of the City's broader urban greening and street tree planting program and reflects the City's ongoing commitment to increasing tree canopy coverage, improving local amenity and creating greener, cooler and more attractive streetscapes.

The proposed planting is scheduled to occur during the 2026 winter planting season.

CONCEPT DESIGN

Due to the constrained width of King William Street, limited verge space and the presence of existing underground services, the proposed trees are planned to be installed within a painted central median treatment along the road corridor. The concept design has been developed to:

  • Avoid driveways, existing infrastructure and underground services
  • Maintain vehicle access to properties
  • Improve the visual character of the street
  • Provide a greening connection from the Bayswater town centre to the river
  • Assist in reducing vehicle speeds without the need for additional traffic calming infrastructure

A concept design showing the proposed tree locations can be viewed here. A large-scale hard copy is also available to view at the Bayswater Library.

The City has selected the following tree species based on their suitability for the area, consistent with Stage 1 planting and their ability to thrive in paved conditions.

  • Spotted Gum (Corymbia Maculata)
  • Coral Gum (Eucalyptus Torquata)

Residents should note that, due to the proposed central median tree planting arrangement and constrained road width, on-street parking along sections of King William Street will be restricted. Verge parking will, however, continue to be permitted, and additional parking is available within the car park located at the entrance to the Eric Singleton Bird Sanctuary.

For more information, please refer to the FAQs in the right-hand menu.

STAKEHOLDER ENGAGEMENT

Consultation on this concept design has been undertaken with community groups, and we are now inviting residents to review the proposal and share their feedback.

OPPORTUNITY FOR COMMUNITY COMMENT AND QUESTIONS

Prior to finalising the design, the City is inviting residents and users of King William Street to review the draft concept design and provide feedback.

Comments can be submitted using the form below.

Responses will be collected until 5pm, Friday 12 June 2026. Feedback received during the consultation period will be reviewed by the City and considered as part of the finalisation of the design.

Page last updated: 19 Oct 2026, 09:27 AM