Shade and picnics focus of parklands next attraction

The city’s flagship park, Broadwater Parklands at Southport, will be transformed with hundreds of shade trees to be planted at the northern end.

Mayor Tom Tate today lowered in the first of hundreds of semi-mature trees at Fisherman’s Lawn, in the northern precinct. These trees form part of a commitment to plant hundreds of trees in the area to create a legacy for future generations.

“This is about shade and getting back to nature. Other areas of the parklands offer a great mixture of cycle ways, stages, cafes, rock pools and lawn areas,’’ said Mayor Tate.

“These trees will grow rapidly to offer considerable shade and natural amenity to the area.’’

Council has chosen species that will produce the best shade while retaining the grassed area under each canopy. In 2018-19, the City will plant well over 50,000 trees throughout the Gold Coast, as part of its annual greening program.

“That means we are planting on average, 136 trees a day across the city,’’ he said.

“We remain one of the greenest cities of our size anywhere in the world and Council is 100 percent committed to protecting that green and open space.’’

The City Plan, endorsed by Council in 2016, ensures a minimum of 51 percent of the city’s footprint will always remain green and open space.

“Right now, we are just under the 51 percent green space target but I’m confident we will get there as we open up new areas and undertake land reclamation like we did several years ago to create this section  of the parklands,’’ said Mayor Tate.

Some areas of Fisherman’s Lawn will be closed during planting.

For information visit: cityofgoldcoast.com.au/broadwaterparklands