Street Trees Continue To Die
17 April, 2010
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Of the 20 palm trees planted last year as part of Council’s street improvements to Logan Road, Woolloongabba, yet another has died, bringing the total to seven dead trees.
The estimated cost of installation of one palm tree is $2,000. So the death of these trees comes at significant cost to ratepayers.
“The sites of where these trees once stood can be clearly seen in the new paving” said Helen Abrahams.
These street improvements were part of a $3 Million upgrade as stimulus for the urban renewal development of Woolloongabba Central.
“The demise of these trees may be due, in part, to the Lord Mayor’s design for new urban spaces – areas which form part of the Lord Mayor’s New World City vision for Brisbane,” said Cr Abrahams.
“King George Square was the first stand-out example of these harsh, hot public spaces. The Logan Road streetscape upgrade is now the second.”
“It is ironic that the design for Logan Road featured the same palm trees as those installed in King George Square, even though these trees provide almost no shade”.
Increasingly, these areas are transforming into a harsh, grey concrete spaces without shade.
“These are not the type of urban spaces needed for a subtropical climate” said Cr Abrahams.
“People are seeking shade, seating and cool spaces to rest, to meet friends and to simply pass the time of day. Instead they find dying trees and hostile spaces,” said Helen Abrahams.