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 is responsible for planting street trees on urban footpaths. To ensure footpaths are suitable for a street tree, Council assesses underground and overhead infrastructure, pedestrian/vehicle visibility and appropriate species selection. If the footpath is deemed suitable for a street tree, Council has identified a preferred species list for street tree plantings in the Rockhampton Region. Council’s Arboriculture and Streetscapes unit is responsible for initial planting of street trees as well as routine trimming and health checks. Please note that the property owner/resident is responsible for the ongoing watering and general care of the street tree.
Request a new street tree
If you are a property owner within an urban area of the Rockhampton Region, you can request a street tree for your footpath. The best way to do so is during Council’s advertised Street Tree Planting Program. Nominations for the 2024 pilot program have now closed. Details on the 2025 nomination period will be announced on this webpage and Council's Facebook.
Please note, all street tree requests are assessed by Council’s Arboriculture and Streetscapes unit, and street tree plantings will only be carried out during the winter months each year.
Request a street tree health check or trim
Council has a responsive team to manage trees on Council-owned or controlled land, including street trees. Street trees are trimmed upon request to ensure clearances for pedestrians and vehicles and line of sight concerns.
If you notice a tree in a Council controlled space that might need a health check or trim, please contact Council by calling (07) 4932 9000.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I request a street tree for my footpath?
Council's street tree planting is currently focusing on urban residential areas.
If you are a property owner within an urban area of the Rockhampton Region, you can request a street tree for your footpath.
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.
Please note:
- The proposed property must be within the Rockhampton Local Government Area.
- The proposed property is preferably located in the Urban Road Network (generally residential areas with a speed limit of 50 or below).
- Properties located within Central Business District (CBD) precincts, on higher order roads or on highways are subject to additional requirements and may need to be assessed as part of Council’s streetscaping design, major project scope or Department of Transport and Main Roads processes.
How will my street tree request be assessed?
Council’s Arboriculture and Streetscapes unit will undertake desktop and onsite assessments to confirm the suitability of the site for a street tree.
- Council can only install new street trees on suitable Council-controlled road verges within the Rockhampton Local Government Area.
- Assessment includes alignment with Council’s Urban Greening and Tree Management Policies and considerations such as 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, receding and approaching corners, and pedestrian/vehicle visibility.
- Council will select the most appropriate tree species for the location from Council’s street tree species list.
- Should the proposed property/planting site have significant constraints, the request will not proceed.
- Should Council receive a high volume of requests, over and above allocated street tree stock levels, Council may need to prioritise plantings, with eligible requests to carry over to future Street Tree Planting Programs.
- Council’s assessments in relation to the Street Tree Planting Program is final.
If you have any queries or issues submitting your request, please contact Council via email urbangreening@rrc.qld.gov.au or phone 07 4932 9000 or 1300 22 55 77.
What are Council’s approved street tree species?
Council will select the most appropriate tree species for the location from Council’s street tree species list, including but not limited to:
Ivory Curl (Buckinghamia celsissima)(PDF, 1MB)
Tuckeroo (Cupaniopsis anacardioides)(PDF, 1MB)
Acronychia Vista (Acronychia imperforata)(PDF, 1MB)
Little Evodia (Melicope elleryana)(PDF, 1MB)
Tulipwood (Harpullia pendula)(PDF, 1MB)
Golden Penda (Xanthostemon chrysanthus)(PDF, 1MB)
Silver Trumpet Tree (Tabebuia argentea)(PDF, 1MB)
Rosy Trumpet Tree (Tabebuia rosea)(PDF, 1MB)
Water Gum (Tristaniopsis laurina)(PDF, 1MB)
Brushbox (Lophostemon confertus)(PDF, 1MB)
What happens after I submit my street tree request?
Once street tree requests have been assessed, Council’s Arboriculture and Streetscapes unit will provide an update outlining the status of your request and further details via letter.
Council will advise you if the site is not suitable for a street tree planting.
What is required to care for the street tree?
We want to make sure that our street trees are healthy and continue to thrive throughout their life. Please note that the ongoing watering and general care of the street tree is the responsibility of the property owner/resident.
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 will stake the tree until the roots have formed and spread into the soil. Council will return to remove the stakes approximately 12 months after planting. 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.
Important note: Do not place grass clippings around the base of trees. It can produce high nitrogen content, smothering the stem base and causing it to rot.
Can I plant a street tree myself?
Council is responsible for tree planting within Council controlled public spaces including parks, open spaces, reserves and 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.
Please note, 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.
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).