TWO paperbark trees which have provided much-needed shade at the top of d’Arcy Doyle Place are to be removed to make way for a covered pathway.
The Melaleuca trees, which have been an iconic part of the central Ipswich streetscape for decades in front of the State heritage listed 1878 Bank of Australasia building, are close to a planned renewal of d’Arcy Doyle Place designed to “enhance access and awareness of surrounding historical buildings, entry to the Ipswich Art Gallery and Ipswich Civic Centre”.
The Preliminary Concept Design shows the planned walkway running alongside the council-owned Bank of Australasia building, currently leased to Indian Mehfil Restaurant, and along the entire length of d’Arcy Doyle Place.
The walkway is described in proposed plans as a “sculpted covered walkway to provide weather protection incorporating greening elements”.
Information on the Ipswich City Council’s proposed plans states that the roots of the Melaleuca trees are causing damage to the pavement and decking outside the heritage building.
“There are also maintenance concerns including blocked gutters and water ingress from the tree leaves, impacting the heritage building,” the Council states.
“Should the preliminary concept design proceed, the large trees currently in front of 116 Brisbane St will be removed, but gardens and plantings will be considered instead.”
The Ipswich Climate Action Group is planning a protest rally to save the trees to be held tomorrow, December 5, from 5-6pm and are launching a petition.
Group member Robyn Whale said the trees, which they have nicknamed Mel and Leuca, appear in photographs in a local newspaper around 1980 and it’s believed they were planted at least 50 years ago.
Ms Whale said a mature tree was recently removed from behind the art gallery without any public consultation, adding that the Nicholas Street Precinct redevelopment lacked greenery.
She questioned whether there was any significant damage to the pavement near the trees and said the decking was not part of the heritage building but was a more recent addition.
The group said the heritage building required better maintenance from the Council if leaves in the guttering were causing water issues to the building.
“If Council cleaned the gutters on a regular basis like we all have to do, we wouldn’t have this issue,” Ms Whale said.
“To take out the only two big trees in the place makes no sense. We need to protect them, not destroy them.
“There should have been more thought into improving greenery in the Nicholas Street Precinct redevelopment … we need every bit of shade we can get.”
