Eight new Jacaranda trees will be planted as part of new works to Camden’s streetscape

Camden Council will soon begin works to enhance the gateway to Camden as they prepare to beautify a section of Argyle St between Edward and Elizabeth Streets.

Eight new mature Jacaranda trees will be planted on Argyle St in Camden as part of new street beautification works.

• Residents concerned about Jacaranda removal

Camden Council will begin works to enhance the gateway to Camden with more jacaranda trees as it prepares to beautify a section of Argyle St.

The works, between Edward and Elizabeth streets, will include the removal of the concrete median strip which will be replaced by a widened strip for eight mature jacaranda trees.

Camden councillors voted last week to accept a $359,360 tender from Statewide Civil to complete the works.

The eight new trees will add to the 39 jacarandas in Argyle St. As part of earlier works in the CBD, three jacarandas were successfully moved to Apex Park.

The removal of three Jacarandas from Argyle St in 2015 stirred controversy within the community.

Camden Mayor Lara Symkowiak said the new work would significantly enhance the Camden streetscape.

“There is a plan for the entire main street and obviously we can’t do it all at once but this is another step in that direction,” she said.

“I think it’s very important that when people come into Camden it looks good and that’s what we’re hoping to accomplish.

“We’ll have eight mature jacaranda trees that will look stunning and fit in with the streetscape and I can’t think of a reason why anyone would believe that this is a bad idea.” Cr Symkowiak said the council was unable to fix up old sites such as the milk factory to add to the town’s heritage look but was completing work that was within its scope.

“Because sites such as the old milk factory are privately owned we are unable to do any work there but we will do anything that we are able,” she said.

Last year, Camden Council completed works to the Hill and Oxley St intersections along Argyle St.

Local horticulturalist Tim Pickles said the existing jacarandas and gardens along Argyle St looked fantastic.

“When you plant more trees and do the gardens properly then it makes the town look loved,” he said.

Mr Pickles said Campbelltown Council could follow Camden’s lead in beautifying its main street.