How did the construction of Sydney’s underground railway affect Hyde Park?
The tunnels under Hyde Park that form Sydney’s underground rail network were made by simply digging into the park. In fact for many years, Hyde Park was little more than a construction site. Afterwards, the soil was simply replaced along with building debris and rubble. As a result the natural integrity and layering of the soil was disrupted. This in turn had a serious effect on the drainage in the park. The trees that are in a poor state today were planted in this inferior, compacted, poorly-draining soil. This poor soil environment increases the opportunity for diseases to thrive and infect our trees. All trees in the vicinity of the railway tunnel are subject to these poor and now diseased growing conditions.
