Street trees
Trees help to shade and cool our streets and improve the liveability of our neighbourhoods. Urban canopy cover helps to mitigate the effective of urban heat islands, increase shade and beautify our local areas, encourage greater participation in recreation activities and active transport and protect and enhance our biodiversity.
Council’s tree activities see plantings in open spaces, streetscapes and reserves each year. Street tree plantings are carried out throughout the cooler months of the year.
If your neighbourhood could benefit from a street tree, put in a request to have the footpath in front of your property assessed.
Make a request via Council’s Customer Service Centre by calling (07) 4932 9000.
Please note:
- To ensure your footpath is suitable for a street tree, Council’s assessment considers underground and overhead infrastructure, pedestrian/vehicle visibility and appropriate species selection.
- If your footpath is deemed suitable for a street tree, Council’s assessment ensures that the right tree is planted in the right place for the right reasons. View the list of approved street tree species and streetscape planting requirements in the FAQs.
- Initial planting of street trees is carried out by Council’s Parks unit, with watering and general tree care the ongoing responsibility of the property owner.
To help support urban greening activities, Council also implements an annual Tree Planting Program, hosts annual National Tree Day community planting activities and a range of Bringing Nature Back programs.
Tree maintenance
We want to make sure that our street trees are healthy and continue to thrive throughout their life. Council has a responsive team to manage trees on Council-owned or controlled land, including street trees. It is important that street trees are maintained to ensure safety, clearances for pedestrians and vehicles, line of sight and for the health of the tree itself.
If you notice a tree in a Council controlled public space in need of a health check or trim, please contact Council so that our Parks team can arrange tree maintenance.
Make a request via Council’s Customer Service Centre by calling (07) 4932 9000.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I request a street tree for my footpath?
If you are a property owner within an urban area of the Rockhampton Region, you can request a street tree for your footpath.
Make a request via Council’s Customer Service Centre by calling (07) 4932 9000.
Street tree plantings are carried out throughout the cooler months of the year.
How will my street tree request be assessed?
Once your street tree request is received, Council’s Parks team will conduct a desktop and onsite assessment to determine the suitability of the site for a new street tree. As part of the assessment, the team will consider underground and overhead infrastructure, distances of kerbs, stormwater drains, fire hydrants, streetlights, power poles, driveways, water or sewerage kerb stormwater adaptors, service pits and inspection boxes, crossings, as well as receding and approaching corners. If the site is deemed suitable, Council will conduct an onsite assessment and select the most appropriate tree species for the site. See below diagram for a snapshot of considerations for urban street tree planting.
*Note: Residential areas are those with a speed limit of 50 or below. Higher order roads and highways are subject to additional vegetation setbacks and other requirements which will need be considered in conjunction with the Department of Transport and Main Roads or other stakeholders.
What are Council’s approved street tree species?
The species selected for an individual site will consider the site specific conditions.Council has identified the following preferred species list for street tree plantings in the Rockhampton Region:
- Ivory Curl (Buckinghamia celsissima)
- Tuckeroo (Cupaniopsis anacardioides)
- Acronychia Vista (Acronychia imperforata)
- Pink Flowering Euodia (Melicope elleryana)
- Tulipwood (Harpullia pendula)
- Golden Penda (Xanthostemon chrysanthus)
- Silver Trumpet Tree (Tabebuia argentea)
- Rosy Trumpet Tree (Tabebuia rosea)
- Pink Trumpet Tree (Tabebuia heterophylla)
- Water Gum (Tristaniopsis laurina)
- Brushbox (Lophostemon confertus)
What happens when my street tree request is approved?
You will be contacted by the Parks team to progress your request and arrange the planting. Street tree plantings are carried out throughout the cooler months of the year. Once the street tree is planted, you will be required to regularly water the tree, especially during the establishment phase.
What maintenance is required to care for the street tree?
Ongoing watering of street trees is the resident’s responsibility. The following watering schedule is recommended to establish the tree:
• Month 1 - twice a week
• Month 2 & 3 - once a week
• Beyond 3 months - once a month
To help establish new street trees, Council may stake the tree until the roots have formed and spread into the soil. Generally, stakes can be removed after approximately 12 months.
To help our street trees thrive, Council will use mulch around the base of the tree, leaving a clear gap between the trunk of the tree and the mulch layer.
Please note: Do not use grass clipping around the base of trees as they produce high nitrogen content, can smother the tree base and can cause the stem base to rot.
What happens if my street tree request is not approved?
You will be contacted by Council to advise that the site is not suitable for a street tree planting.
I live in a rural area. Can I request a street tree?
If you live in a rural area, Council encourages you to collect free native plants and trees each year as part of the Native Plant Program. Council's street tree planting is currently focusing on urban residential areas.
I live on a higher order road (60km/hr or higher). Can I request a street tree?
You can put through a street tree request, noting that higher order roads are subject to additional vegetation setbacks and requirements. Council will endeavour to find an appropriate location for planting based on the assessment process.
I live in the CBD. Can I request a street tree?
You can put through a request but please note that areas of the CBD are subject to requirements of Council’s CBD Streetscape Design Manual. Council will endeavour to find an appropriate location for planting based on the assessment process.
Can I plant a street tree myself?
Council is responsible for tree planting, streetscaping and maintenance within Council controlled public spaces including parks, open spaces, reserves and street trees on urban footpaths. Council does not permit the planting of trees or vegetation on Council land without Council approval.
What is in place to protect street trees?
Council is responsible for tree planting, streetscaping and maintenance within Council controlled public spaces including parks, open spaces, reserves and street trees on urban footpaths. Each tree is managed on a case-by-case basis in accordance with Council’s Tree Management Policy and Urban Greening Policy. Removal of trees within Council controlled public spaces will only be considered as a last resort.
Who do I contact if I notice a street tree is touching powerlines or power poles?
Contact Ergon Energy on 13 74 66 to report trees or vegetation is touching powerlines or power poles.
I noticed a street tree in need of a trim. What can I do?
If you notice a tree in our Region’s Parks or residential streets in need of a health check or trim, please contact Council so that our Parks team can arrange tree maintenance.
Make a request via Council’s Customer Service Centre by calling (07) 4932 9000.
Providing a street address and photo of the tree will assist this request.
I noticed a street tree looking unhealthy (i.e. broken branch, fungus, significant lean, thinning canopy etc). What can I do?
If you notice a tree in our Region’s Parks or residential streets in need of a health check or trim, please contact Council so that our Parks team can inspect the tree and arrange tree maintenance.
Make a request via Council’s Customer Service Centre by calling (07) 4932 9000.
Providing a street address and photo of the tree will assist this request.
How do I report wilful damage or destruction of trees?
Council seeks to manage, protect and enhance trees in Council controlled public spaces.
If you believe that someone has removed a tree or wilfully damaged a tree on public land, please report it to us via Council’s Customer Service Centre 4932 9000.
Please provide us with as much detail as possible, including:
- the exact location of the tree
- when the tree removal or damage occurred
- why you believe the tree removal or damage is illegal
- any identifying features (equipment used, vehicle make/model/registration etc).