AN avenue of 200 spectacular street trees will be planted along Bradwardine Road as a permanent reminder of Bathurst’s bicentenary year.
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Autumn blaze maples and liquidambar trees will feature by the roadside from the intersection of the Mitchell Highway near the new “welcome to Bathurst” sign opposite the former RTA.
It is anticipated the trees will continue past the intersection of Suttor Street, down to about the site of the former Walmer Park rugby field.
The names of Bathurst’s 200 Living Legends will be engraved on a commemorative plaque which will be unveiled at the official tree planting ceremony set for Sunday, July 26.
David McKibbon’s O’Connell-based Stratford Trees was the successful tenderer for the specimens.
He says the trees have been sourced from Victoria and are expected to arrive in Bathurst in coming weeks on the back of two Burke’s Transport semi-trailers.
“They are spectacular trees and a great choice for Bathurst’s cold climate,” Mr McKibbon said.
“The maples give a lovely red colour in autumn while the liquidambars give you hues of orange and red. I think they will make a magnificent avenue.”
Mr McKibbon said the trees don’t have ravenous root systems, making them ideal for a streetscape planting.
He said they are coming in 100-litre bags for the root ball and each will average around three metres in height, meaning they will have an immediate impact.
“When they are fully grown they should reach around 15m in height, but that won’t be for about 20 years time,” Mr McKibbon said.
“The autumn blaze maples have already made a mark in the CBD of Bathurst. A number of years ago council planted them along Howick Street, beween William and Bentinck streets.”
Mayor Gary Rush said the initiative is a way of honouring the region’s Living Legends, not only now but for years to come.
“This actually serves two purposes,” he said. “It acknowledges the Living Legends and also continues to beautify the city with deciduous trees that add to the colour they give us in summer and autumn.”
Cr Rush said the first of the trees would be planted on Friday, July 24, ahead of an official event at Bathurst Memorial Entertainment Centre on the Sunday.
“BMEC has been chosen because it gets the people out of the cold,” he said.
“Once we hold that function the tree planting will be rolled out in the coming weeks during the ideal planting window while they are dormant.
“Each of the 200 trees will have its own plaque which ties it to an individual Living Legend.”
