1,750 new trees to boost Townsville's green spaces
Date published: 12 October 2017
More than 1,750 trees are set to be planted in Townsville as part of a new greening program launched today.
Powerlink Queensland and Townsville City Council are partnering to deliver a greening initiative which will involve planting new trees at three community events, enhancing the high-tech food garden at Heatley Secondary College, and revegetating the area near an electricity transmission line corridor on Dalrymple Road.
The greening program is in response to Powerlink’s construction project currently underway to replace an electricity transmission line along Dalrymple Road in Garbutt, Currajong, Gulliver and Heatley.
Townsville Mayor Cr Jenny Hill welcomed the partnership with Powerlink and said the tree plantings would be watered from a bore and will add another green space to the city.
“Powerlink has been upfront with Council about the need to balance the delivery of its transmission line replacement project with environmental, landholder and local community considerations,” Cr Hill said.
“The plants to be used in Heatley Secondary College’s food garden are drought tolerant native species and will be bore watered so the community can benefit from another green space as this prolonged drought is really taking its toll.”
“We are pleased to join forces with Powerlink to increase the vegetation along the Dalrymple Road transmission line and provide more habitats for local wildlife.
“Our team will roll-out an intensive maintenance program of watering, weeding and mulching on an ongoing basis to encourage strong growth rates.”
Cr Hill said information on the dates and locations for the three upcoming community tree plantings would be announced soon.
“We encourage local residents to roll up their sleeves and join in these family-friendly events, and help make a difference to boosting the amenity, environmental values and health of our city,” Cr Hill said.
Powerlink Chief Executive Merryn York said the initiative would deliver strong positive benefits for the local community and Townsville’s environment.
“The transmission line replacement project currently underway is vital to ensuring the ongoing safe and reliable supply of electricity to Townsville into the future. We have been working closely with Council to find ways to make a positive difference and offset local impacts from the project,” Ms York said.
“The greening program work will include replacing vegetation that encroached on safe clearance zones near our transmission lines for an overall better outcome.
“We look forward to working with the local community to plant 1,750 trees in this area.
“We are also looking forward to enhancing Heatley Secondary College’s food garden by connecting the site to the existing bore at the school, installing innovative water-efficient garden beds that can grow vegetables using minimal water, planting fruit trees, and increasing outdoor classroom learning opportunities for students.”
