By Dominique Tassell
Installation of the planter boxes along Palmerin Street has stalled and locals have now started to use the empty boxes as rubbish bins.
Southern Downs Regional Council was contacted for comment regarding the progress of the installation, and for comment regarding the boxes’ use as bins, but did not respond in time for print.
Some progress was made on the installation of planter boxes along Palmerin Street in late August, when parks and gardens were on site installing the boxes and anchoring them down.
The next step was stated to be the plumbing for the boxes’ irrigation system.
Council reported previously that they were expecting to have the boxes fully installed by the end of August.
The planter boxes were initially set to be installed in time for the Jumpers and Jazz in July Festival, but were delayed due to supply chain issues.
They will fill the space cleared after four trees were removed last year from outside the Criterion Hotel.
At the time, the removal prompted an outcry from the community.
A Council spokesperson stated last year that Council wants to retain the CBD’s iconic tree-lined streetscape but did state that “if successful, the current trial could…possibly be rolled out further”.
The trees were removed in part due to the roots damaging the footpaths and the street.
Southern Downs Chief Executive, Dave Burges, stated last year that “the trees were not in the best of health, they had some disease“.
“There has been damage to infrastructure such as footpaths and it was felt that would be a good trial section.“
He stated that damage caused by the trees to Warwick CBD streets is very evident.
“So we chose those four, we didn’t consult with community because we had to do it, and we tried to minimise the impact by doing just four at this stage.
Mr Burges stated at the time that the Council would engage with the community for feedback on the planter boxes before rolling out anything further.
He also stated the trees in planter boxes would be mature trees that could be used during the Jumpers and Jazz Festival.
Work was done at the start of August outside the Criterion Hotel to close up the holes left behind after the trees were removed.
