Darwin’s newest shade structures to feature different vine species than Cavenagh St frame

NEW shade structures being built in Cullen Bay will feature a different species of vines to those planted in Cavenagh St, with construction due to be completed shortly

One of the new shade structures in Cullen Bay, which are due to be completed by Christmas. Picture: Katrina Bridgeford

• NT government splashes $80,000 on Cavenagh St shade structure cooling evaluation
• ‘Overzealous pruning’ to blame for lack of shade at Cavenagh St structure nearly two years on

NEW shade structures being built in Cullen Bay will feature a different species of vines to those planted in Cavenagh St, with construction due to be completed shortly.

The shade structures are a part infrastructure upgrades underway at the Cullen Bay Marina Precinct which the NT government has put $10m towards.

Cullen Bay Marina Management Corporation chief executive Carmen King said the new shade structures and vine arbours were due to be finished by Christmas.

One of the new shade structures in Cullen Bay, which are due to be completed by Christmas. Picture: Katrina

“The vine species that will be planted are Stephanotis floribunda (Madagascar Jasmine), Stephanotis floribunda variegated, and Pyrostegia venusta,” she said.

“Our landscaper has advised that he anticipates the vines to be reaching the top in around 18 months for the over street vine arbours.

“The pedestrian ones are a little lower so may reach the top sooner.

“Some of the plants are already in; others will be planted as soon as structures are installed and when surrounding pavement works are complete.”

The vines planted at the $2.7m Cavenagh St shade structure — Rangoon Creeper and Orange Trumpet — were planted in November 2018 and were meant to have grown to completely cover the arc by May this year.

But nearly two years on the vines appear to have just broken through the canopy.

The vines at the shade structure on Cavenagh St have still not completely covered the arc, nearly two years after they were planted. Picture: Katrina Bridgeford

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The NT government has previously blamed overzealous pruning and a plant disease for the delayed growth of the vines.

However, Top End gardening expert Sandra Byrnes previously said they had chosen the wrong species of vines.

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