Russell
The coastal tree called Cotton wood, or Cotton tree, is Hibiscus
tiliaceus. It's common along the coast behind beaches and behind mangroves
in estuaries. It is Australian, not introduced.
It's a good tree in itself, but I should think we would all agree that a
diversity of trees is preferable. I suppose the humans behind this are
influenced by the good looks of the tree, spreading (and therefore shady),
and with attractive flowers. Still, the targetted trees you mentioned are
also pretty attractive in their different ways, and would certainly be
preferred by some of the bird species mentioned.
Helen Horton
At 01:35 26/04/01 +1000, Russell Woodford wrote:
Hi everyone
This is hardly likely to be a raging environmental issue, but it does
highlight some of the blinkered thinking which is affecting tiny elements
of our environmental heritage.
I recently had a couple of pleasant weeks in Caloundra (Sunshine Coast,
Qld) where I stayed at Gemini Resort. This complex sits at the edge of
Fraser Park, a long strip of developed park and trees between Golden
Beach itself and The Esplanade. There are playgraounds, barbecue & picnic
facilities, boat hire and a lifeguard post, plus lawn, a paved
bikeway/footpath and plenty of trees, many of which are Cotton Woods
(someone like to suggest a species for these?).
Gemini Resort wants to remove most of the trees in front of the complex
itself and replace them with 4 Cotton Woods. A submission form for public
comment is available from the resort desk as well as from Caloundra City
Council. I have included the full text of this below.
While I was staying at Gemini, I observed several species using these
targetted trees for perching and roosting:
Crested Pigeon
Spotted Turtledove
Rainbow Lorikeet
Welcome Swallow
Little Wattlebird
Blue-faced Honeyeater
Brown Honeyeater
Striated Pardalote
House Sparrow
Pied Butcherbird
Australian Magpie
Magpie-Lark
Torresian Crow
Clearly, all of these birds are common and have plenty of other places to
perch. I believe the main problem is with the attitude of the Gemini Body
Corporate, in that they want to create a monoculture - in PUBLIC PARKLAND
- to suit their own commercial interests. Most of the trees earmarked for
removal are large, and block much of the view from ground-floor and
first-floor appartments. The replacement Cottonwoods would be placed to
minimise this obstruction (there is a rough plan on the noticeboard in
front of the resort.
Unfortunately, I've left it a bit late to pass on this information - the
submissions are due tomorrow. Rather than using the reply-paid envelope,
I am emailing my comments to the Caloundra Council:
Others may like to do the same. Here is the text from the submission form:
FRASER PARK REDEVELOPMENT
Gemini Resort Body Corporate in cooperation with Caloundra City Council
propose to redevelop a portion of Fraser Park.
The redevelopment will include the removal of a number of existing trees
and replacing them with four advanced Cotton Woods to reinforce the
uniformity and character of the existing Park.
Council and Gemini Resort seeks Public Opinion on the removal of these
trees and their replacements.
The trees nominated for removal are tagged, being Casuarinas, Melaleucas,
Brush Box, Eucalyptus, Banksia and Cupaniopsis species. These trees are
nominated due to their poor form and condition and their inappropriateness
to the design proposal.
A plan of the proposed changes can be viewed at Golden Beach shops in the
Community Notice Board. Council's contact Officer for this project is the
Senior Landscape Architect, Lea Durie.
Please return this reply paid form by Friday 27th April, 2001.
----------------------------- 11 dotted lines for submissions
------------------------
Russell Woodford
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