Thousands of new plantings part of Medlow Bath upgrade

More than 70,000 plants of all shapes and sizes, including 280 new trees, will soon brighten the roadside of the Great Western Highway through Medlow Bath. 

Transport for NSW Regional Director West, Alistair Lunn said the greenery was part of the joint NSW and Australian Government investment in duplicating the 1.2-kilometre section of highway near the highest point of the Blue Mountains. 

“Work is under way to widen the road to four lanes with a central median and dedicated turning lanes, along with a new bridge to help pedestrians to cross the highway safely,” Mr Lunn said.

“An impressive suite of planting was completed in late April around Railway Parade in Medlow Bath. These plants are thriving and already doing their job in providing a visual screen between the highway and residences in this section of the village.

“Next the focus will be on planting along the median and verges of the highway, along Railway Parade towards the café and within the sediment basement area which is designed to catch water draining from the highway.

“More than 280 trees - a mix of natives and exotics – will be added to the Medlow Bath village, as well as 50,000 ground cover seedlings such as grasses, 14,500 verge plantings of longer grasses and shrubs, and 400 new hedges.

“That’s a total of more than 70,000 plants and trees to ensure the natural beauty of Medlow Bath and the Blue Mountains is not impacted by work on the highway.”

Transport is also finding interesting new life and purpose for the cleared trees. 

“Branches from the Eucalypts are being taken to Sydney Zoo as snacks or perches for animals, and Howes Timber have requested some of the Radiata Pines for axe throwing practice,” Mr Lunn said. 

Planting will be completed when the roadwork program is complete in 2025.