Picture: MOLLY TAYLOR
MOUNT Gambier’s residential streets have been undergoing a face-lift during the past month as City Council continues to roll out its street tree planting program.
Council has allocated $40,000 for the annual program, with 300 trees to be planted as part of its beautification project, with around 75pc already in the ground.
“Although there are mixed emotions surrounding the trees, we believe they add visual appeal to areas, increase health and well-being and provide environmental benefits,” council engineering techical officer Sinaway Georgiou said.
“There is no perfect street tree and we always have people preferring one species over the other.
“We tend to try and work with ratepayers on what they like and what they do not.”
Mr Georgiou said the funding also accounted for the removal of pre-existing trees.
“We tend to target newly established areas or areas where there are unappealing powerlines,” the senior council officer said.
“We have a street tree list of around 45 trees which we have continuously adjusted over the past 20 years.
“The list is based on trial trees which grow well in the Limestone Coast and those dictated by utilities, including SA Power Network and SA Water, which are allowed to be planted around infrastructure.”
Mr Georgiou said ratepayers were notified several months in advance of a planned project via a letter.
“You generally find unwanted street trees will be vandalised or not looked after which is basically a waste of money and time,” he said.
“If a resident is unable to maintain the tree, the council will step in and prune, fertilise and water it as it is our responsibility.
“We listen to what ratepayers prefer and generally if we receive a request for a street tree, we will target that particular street.
“This will be an ongoing project to reach a goal of 10,000 net trees, which will continue for years to come.”
In 1996, an audit of all street trees in Mount Gambier was conducted with particular emphasis on evaluating the health, position, species and population of trees.
The tree population was considered low and a vast number of trees were unhealthy, planted in the wrong position, while many developed streets had no trees planted.
Council initiated its street tree program in 1998.
