Cool Towns: Native trees to shade and beautify Minjungbal Drive

01 October 2020

Council takes steps to reduce heat in the Tweed

Council is developing an urban tree canopy program to improve areas of the Tweed most lacking in shade.

Street trees play an important role in reducing the urban heat-island effect created by heat-absorbing roads, footpaths and buildings. Town planners the world over are recognising the importance of urban street trees in improving the liveability of urban areas.

Mayor of Tweed Chris Cherry said street trees had been shown to reduce our experience of urban heat by as much as seven to 14 degrees.

“All new urban developments have street trees - our issue is retro-fitting them to existing city areas,” Cr Cherry said.

To launch the Cool Towns program, 34 native Brush Box and 13 Tuckeroo trees will be planted at Minjungbal Drive, from Dry Dock Road to Heffron Street at Tweed Heads South. The Brush Box will replace the Cocos palms currently growing in the centre median.

Cocos palms, also known as queen palms, are a registered environmental weed.

“It’s not a fitting species to showcase the entrance to the Tweed. They also provide little in terms of shade and habitat,” Cr Cherry said.

Council will remove the 38 palms that line the median strip from Dry Dock Road to Heffron Street from 19 October 2020.

In addition, 13 Tuckeroo trees will be planted in the open space at the corner of Heffron Street near the skate park and Tweed Regional Aquatic Centre Tweed Heads South, and in Faux Park to shade the shared-user path along the Tweed River.

“I’d like to acknowledge Cr Katie Milne for her work in advocating for this urban tree canopy program in the Tweed,” Cr Cherry said.

“I’m sure the community will appreciate the shade and cooling effects this program will provide into the future.

“This is another way Council is trying to improve the future quality of life for our residents,” Cr Cherry said.

This tree replacement program will also substantially reduce the maintenance load on Council as the palms continually drop fronds, fruit and seeds that cause litter problems.

The palm seeds are spread widely by wind, birds and other animals while unripened fruit is poisonous to our native bats.

The Queensland Brush Box, Lophostomen confertus, is a prized street tree rarely troubled by pests or disease and will establish quickly and provide a much-needed shade canopy over this busy road.

The urban tree canopy program initially will focus on those areas of the Tweed lacking in shade.

Additional programs are being developed to provide opportunities for the community to become involved in planting and caring for trees in their own streets and parks.

For more information on the project, visit yoursaytweed.com.au/cool-towns