Creating a greener city

With the first stage of works for the MY0800 city revitalization project due to commence in November, Darwin City Council has been busy on growing trees in order for them to be at their best at the time of planting.

Due to difficulties in sourcing large tree specimens of certain species in Darwin, the Council proactively purchases specimens identified for future use and on-grows them at a holding facility purpose built at the Council’s Operations Centre.

Two species, Syzigium armstrongii (White Bush Apple) and Allosyncapia ternate will be used in Knuckey Street.

Suitable Characteristics of these include:

• endemic to the Top End
• already used in the Darwin Central Business District
• dense attractive foliage
• evergreen that can be pruned to ensure they don’t impede ground-level retail sightlines
• the Syzigium flowers during the wet season producing a nice display of colour
• they are a proven species
• are fast growing

Council’s recently established holding facility incorporates best practice nursery techniques. The trees are being maintained by Council's Urban Forest Management Team. Activities include pruning, potting into 100 litre 'Rocket Pots' irrigation, fertilising and weeding.

The specimens are being closely monitored to ensure the best result and maximum impact when they are installed as part of project delivery