Tree plan for West End works
Date published: 13 October 2015
Aitkenvale’s Illich Park is receiving a timely green boost thanks to a Townsville City Council infrastructure project on the other side of the city.
The council has developed a rescue plan that is relocating to Illich Park 14 street trees being removed from Church Street, West End where an important infrastructure project is about to start.
Similar species of replacement street trees will be replanted in Church Street when work to upgrade a water main and underground stormwater drainage has been completed.
Council’s Infrastructure Committee chairman Cr Trevor Roberts said the project would deliver a major benefit to the community and saving the trees was great news.
"The project is part of the council’s on-going programs to replace and upgrade aging infrastructure in some of the older suburbs of Townsville," Cr Roberts said.
"Work in Church Street is being staged over the next few months and will improve the water service and drainage in the local area.
"The council is mindful of the importance of our street trees as a community asset when we undertake these sorts of works and removal of trees is always a last resort.
"In Church Street the trees are healthy enough to be relocated to a suitable public area and Illich Park, which will undergo a major revamp next year, is a perfect location.
Landscape contractors Naturform was successful in being awarded the specialist work to relocate the trees under the supervision of the council’s arborist.
Local councillor Cr Colleen Doyle said the planting of replacement trees in Church Street was important to retain the street’s character and shade.
"The upgrade is essential to replace old infrastructure in West End, and I’m especially pleased that the council is putting in a big effort on the trees," Cr Doyle said.
"It’s important to local residents that replacement trees will be planted and that these trees being relocated today can be used somewhere else in the community."
The staged works include the water main upgrade from Woolcock St to Yeatman St taking place throughout October, stormwater upgrade from Ingham Rd to Shaw St in November, and Asphalt upgrade scheduled for February.
Work to prepare the trees for the relocation began over a month ago and the trees are scheduled to be taken to Illich Park this week.
