Residents may soon notice some cabling tied tightly round a handful of trees along Bulcock Street in Caloundra’s CBD.
This follows a recent tree failure along the popular main retail strip involving a large trunk breaking off. Subsequent tree inspections by Sunshine Coast Council and independent arborists indicated four large fig trees (Ficus benjamina) between Ontranto Street and Michinton Street were a potential safety risk.
Division 2 Councillor Tim Dwyer said the measures were a precaution to reduce any risk of tree failure while maintaining the trees’ shape and street shading and ambience.
“We have engaged a contractor to install a rod and cobra bracing system on the four identified trees to ensure public safety,” Cr Dwyer said.
“We will also be doing some minor pruning on two fig trees at the western end of Bulcock Street.
“The pruning will require part road closure and will be completed early in the morning allowing for the street to be fully re-opened by 7am to ensure shoppers and retailers are not inconvenienced.”
The work is planned for the week commencing 11 June (weather permitting).
The cabling works are a short term action to mitigate any safety risk. As part of the 20-year Bulcock Street Tree Management Plan 2011, council resolved to stage removal of all fig trees in Bulcock Street due to recent tree inspections indicating shorter useful life expectancies and a higher risk of failure than previously identified.