Dropping coconuts a $250k problem

DOUGLAS Shire Council ratepayers will fork out about $250,000 so 1452 highrisk coconut palm trees can be denutted and fallen fronds and fruit removed.

The council has announced the funding as part of its recently released Coconut Management Plan and Action Plan, which aim to “preserve and enhance the region’s spectacular natural environment”, while reducing the risk of falling coconuts striking people below.

A total of 14 troublesome trees, deemed too dangerous to simply denut, will get the chop.

The announcement of the two plans followed concern by some Douglas Shire residents earlier this year that the council was about to embark on a coconut-cutting frenzy.

But their fears seem to have been allayed, with a council spokesman saying additional palms could be removed only if there was “serious, imminent risk to public safety”.

Mayor Julia Leu said she was proud of the fact the region was considered the coconut capital of Australia.

“The community has high expectations the tropical appeal that coconut palms bring to the Douglas Shire must be protected based on the economic and aesthetic value coconuts add to our tourism industry,” Mayor Leu said.

“This plan will have no impact on the tropical ambience of Douglas.”

The palm trees to be removed include 13 in Wonga Beach and one in Murphy St, Port Douglas.

Under the plans, two parcels of land north of Four Mile Park will be revegetated with more than 3000 native plants to prevent dune erosion and replace native species that have been illegally removed to enhance coastal views.

The council will also enter into an agreement with the Sheraton Mirage to restore beach dunes adjacent to the foreshore by cleaning up waste vegetation and revegetating with appropriate ground cover.