Council has started the first stage of a project to enhance Byron Bay's green foreshore, with the planting of new trees in parkland between the surf club and Clarkes Beach.
The shade trees are native to the area and well suited to the salty and windy coastal environment.
The existing trees, mostly Horsetail Sheoaks are, through old age, reaching the end of their life.
"We estimate the trees are around 50 years old and we believe they were planted by the sand miners when they left the area," Andy Erskine, Council's Open Space Technical Officer, said.
"In recent years we have seen some trees die or need to be heavily pruned because they are in decline, and often we forget that they only live for so long," Mr Erskine said.
"In the foreshore consultation last year, we heard strongly from the community that they want to see us planting now so that shade trees are well established by the time the current ones reach the end of their life.
"Importantly the new trees will provide shade and amenity for this much-loved parkland," Mr Erskine said.
The species to be planted are local littoral rainforest trees including:
- Broad leafed Lilli Pilli
- Beach Acrimony
- Coastal Banksia
- Tuckeroo.
Subsequent planting of additional complementary species will be done once the initial trees are established.
