Calm look at iconic palms
NORTHERN Beaches Councillor Brett Olds says Cairns Regional Council needs to have a “serious look” at Palm Cove’s iconic beachfront trees, suggesting they are an accident waiting to happen.
Locals have raised concerns about the council approving the removal of several coconut palms outside Portobello/Chill Cafe and Peppers Resort along Williams Esplanade.
The council, however, has assured that the palms will be replaced, as part of the conditions placed upon the businesses that sought approval to extend footpath dining areas.
Cr Olds said there was a possible danger with some of the older trees along the Esplanade – which are believed to be about 100 years old – nearing the end of their life cycle.
One coconut palm, at the southern end of the road, fell on to the road on September 23 last year.
“None (of the trees) have been programmed to be removed though,” Cr Olds said.
“We are going to have to have a serious look out there to make sure that we’re staying on top of this sort of thing.”
Cr Olds said a motion would be put forward at an upcoming council meeting within the next few weeks for a formal assessment of the coconut palm trees.
“We need to look at what the long-term plan is for the next 20-40 years,” he said.
“All those palms are about the same age.
“If they get to the end of their lives and all start falling over and dying, the whole landscape of Palm Cove will look different – we won’t have any mature trees. We’re trying to have a whole conceptual look at everything.”
Tourism Palm Cove president Paul Garnham said there needed to be a vegetation management plan in place for the suburb’s ageing coconut palms.
“The coconut palms have a used-by date, they don’t last forever,” he said.
“At some stage they will become old and will become unsafe.
“If the council could come up with a management plan for the area, we’d certainly be grateful for that, rather than getting to a stage where a whole lot of trees need to be taken out because of their age and their health.”
Mr Garnham said while coconut palms were good for the area, they were very highmaintenance.
editorial@cairnspost.com.au facebook.com/TheCairnsPost www.cairnspost.com.au twitter.com/TheCairnsPost