FAQs

New street trees will be planted in two separate phases. 

In Phase 1, 4 new trees will be planted during May and June 2025. Up to six weeks has been allowed for construction, with each of the 4 locations taking 1-2 weeks, subject to weather conditions. 

In Phase 2, 7 new trees will be planted from November 2025-mid 2026 (subject to funding and project timing).

Construction will occur Monday - Saturday between 7 am and 6 pm. Please refer to the Planned Works Notification for more information. 

Street trees are essential in urban environments to provide shade and cooling to built environments that absorb heat, such as concrete and bitumen. Trees provide cooler spaces for visitors on hot days. Trees help to beautify the main street and add to Murwillumbah's unique character.

Trees along the Murwillumbah and Brisbane have been progressively removed in several locations due to deteriorating tree health. Arborists have determined that these trees need to be removed to ensure they pose no risk to people or property.

Trees fail due to a number of reasons and multiple of these factors may have contributed to the poor health of street trees in Murwillumbah Street.

• Anaerobic soil conditions, meaning that trees are unable to get the oxygen and nutrients they need from the soil
• Trees were planted approximately 25 years ago in 1.5m tree pits with little support; heavy infrastructure, traffic and clay soils have contributed to compaction in soils

New trees will be installed in larger tree pits, with design and landscaping to minimise compaction on root growing zones. Planting methods such as structural cells enable adequate aeration, nutrients and root growth without impacting on surrounding infrastructure. This should support a minimum 50-80 year lifespan for trees (excepting for other factors outside of Council's control).

Tristaniopsis Laurina ‘Luscious’ (Watergum) is the chosen species for the locations in phase 1. This phase will also include landscaping and planting of low height gardens including native species to beautify the area. 

Watergum has been chosen for the following reasons:

• Australian Native tree, naturally occurring on the east coast of Australia
• Ability to thrive in high traffic and clay, loam and sandy conditions
• Ability to provide sufficient tree canopy for shade
• Medium sized tree with minimal leaf litter (evergreen)

5-12 metres tall (maximum).

There will be some impact on car parking in the CBD during the construction phase. Contractors are requested to limit this to a maximum of 4 parking spaces at one time. Traffic control may be needed during some works, which may result in small delays. 

All car parks will be reinstated following completion of the works. 

Businesses will be able to open and trade as normal, with no changes to access. Construction sites will be fenced and pedestrians will be able to utilise existing footpaths. 

During completion of site 3 (44-54 Murwillumbah Street), there may be some need to temporarily divert pedestrians to alternative crossing locations. 

Phase 1 of the Murwillumbah CBD tree replacement program is funded by the Australian Government’s Local Roads and Community Infrastructure (LRCI) Program, together with Tweed Shire Council's Cool Towns Urban Forest Program. 

The ‘urban heat island effect’ is localised warming in urban areas due to:

• the large amounts of hard surfaces like paving or concrete, which more readily absorb and store heat when compared to vegetation
• the large amounts of heat-absorbing, solid dark coloured surfaces like roads, large buildings or carparks
• human heat production (for example from car engines or air conditioners).

There are many social, economic, environmental, public health and social benefits of tree canopies in urban areas, highlighted in the Cool Towns plan. The focus and priority of the program is the expansion of healthy tree canopy within urban areas.

Appropriate space needs to be provided for tree canopy and root systems. In public urban areas, trees compete for space overhead with power lines, commercial signage or building awnings. Competition for space is also at ground level with footpaths, roads or car parking spaces and underground with stormwater pipes, sewer pipes, and cables.

We can not plant trees underneath powerlines, or where stormwater pipes, sewer pipes or cables are present.

The key is planting the right tree, in the right place, while aiming to maximise potential canopy and therefore shade. 

Council’s aim is to plant species of trees that are the largest-canopy-growing and longest-lived species possible for the given growing conditions and site constraints taking into consideration such issues as soils, climate, physical access, existing vegetation, heritage, character/aesthetics, scenic views and solar access.

Council is responsible for trees on public land, parks, gardens, street roadsides and natures strips. To find out more, or to request an assessment, visit our information on Trees on Public Land or Trees on Private Land.