Byron Shire Council is asking Bangalow residents and businesses for their thoughts on a plan to replace seven trees in the main street (Byron Street) and two in Station St.
The Succession Plan for Trees in Bangalow Village Streetscape is on exhibition to 14 July.
Council staff have developed a plan for the replacement of five mature Leopard trees and two Bangalow palms on the southern side of Byron Street and two Liquidambar trees on the eastern side of Station Street.
These trees were planted in the mid-1990s after the Bangalow bypass opened and were selected by a local resident.
The exotic trees have grown with unanticipated vigour in our sub-tropical climate. Their root systems are now creating trip and fall hazards on the footpaths and are undermining the foundations of nearby historic buildings.
The Bangalow palms drop fronds and hard, round seeds that are problematic for pedestrians.
Malcolm Robertson, Manager Open Space and Facilities, said that over the years Council has installed root barriers in Station Street and repaired damaged footpaths in Byron Street but the problems return at increasing frequency.
“The existing trees provide lovely shade, but the continuing hazards to pedestrians and recurring maintenance costs require a more sustainable strategy,” Mr Robertson said.
The succession plan proposes the staged removal and replacement of the trees. Semi-advanced native trees will be planted in dedicated root containment pits before new footpaths are laid.
The option preferred by Council is to begin by removing two smaller Leopard trees and two palms between Fire Station Park and Station Street.
When these trees have an established canopy at awning level, the three remaining trees at the top end of Byron Street and those on Station Street will be removed and new trees planted. The replacement trees being considered Street are Weeping Lilli Pilli and Ivory Curl.
