You need to be signed in to add your comment.

The evolving urban landscape

This is a frequently occurring landscape in the urban Tweed - once was scenically attracive is now becoming a wasteland.

The attached picture shows the last remaining street tree on Kennedy Drive. It was one of many dozen along the road. As most know, the potholed goat track has received funding for a new surface. Council decided that the new kerbing meant the trees had to go.

While the reasoning is contestable - there were other ways to address the new kerbing around the many dozens of mature trees - it is the decision not to replace the trees that impacts on the aesthetic.

For whatever reason, Council has decided that though Kennedy Drive has not been increased in width there can no longer be any street trees along Kennedy Drive.

While the American approach to traffic 'management' is to ensure there are no obstacles to vision, the result is that motorists feel unrestricted to speed. The European approach is the opposite. Let motorists speed on highways, but retain (any) vision restrictions on minor roads so that motorists feel disinclined to speed.

So, yet again, Tweed removes the aesthetic landscape from urban roads and motorists drive faster.

Frangela Drive Reserve of Old

In 2012 we moved to the once glorious Frangela Drive in Murwillumbah with spectacular views and a leash free dog park across the road. Unfortunately a Flying Fox roost has taken up residence and denuded the trees. One of the scenic parks in an urban space has now totally lost its magic.

Bad landscape policy

Here is a delightful landscape. But, it was once better.All the trees along this foreshore have been planted by adjacent residents and have matured wonderfully.Five years ago, there were 17 extra trees along this foreshore. For various reasons, the trees have been removed by Council. Several of the resident report at the time of removal they asked the Council officers to plant a replacement. They report Council officers advised they had no power to replace. A couple said they later asked the Council officers who manage the park to replace. The Council parks management staff say there is no policy…

1 comment

Recently active Posted first

Tweed Administrator over 9 years ago

Thanks for your input about the importance of vegetation in urban areas. The Scenic Landscape Strategy will seek to explore the range of factors that may result in vegetation loss, including Council’s role.

Do you agree? 0 0