New streetscape is money well spent in Caloundra

Pleasing everyone on the Sunshine Coast with how ratepayers' money is spent is a hard job that council will likely never win.

The fig trees that were removed from Bulcock St, Caloundra. Picture: Patrick Woods

IN RESPONSE to Jan Hopkins' letter 'New-look streetscape not worth the money' (Daily, March 13), I would just like to respond to some of her points.

The original trees in Bulcock St were Ficus Benjamina, also known as weeping figs and not Moreton Bay figs as stated.

They absolutely could not be saved.

Weeping figs have a destructive root system; they grow quickly and lift sidewalks, roads and in some cases, bases of buildings.

They are too big for urban developments and belong in paddocks, not main streets of towns.

Pipes were broken underground due to the fig tree roots, with the roots even growing into the pipes.

They had to be removed.

There were more trees replanted in the streetscape than the amount that had to be removed.

Admittedly, there are one or two trees that have not taken to their new environment and would appear to have died, but to say that most have died is simply not true.

These new trees will soon grow and the leafy shade that they will provide will be here in no time.

I have seen old photos of Bulcock St when there were no trees and I think the street looks much better with trees than without.

Pleasing everyone on the Sunshine Coast with how ratepayers' money is spent is a hard job that council will likely never win.

The business owners in Caloundra are grateful for the upgrade.

Unitywater had a huge project in Bulcock St and it made sense for council to do the streetscape at the same time, which has actually saved ratepayers' money.

What would Caloundra look like if no upgrades are ever done?

Tiredness and decay would set in and that would have given people something to whinge about.

Lastly, I appreciate that art is a very personal thing and whilst I get that our colourful flowers may not be Ms Hopkins' cup of tea, there are plenty of people that love them and that they are a wonderful addition.

We have our very own art gallery in Caloundra and with all the additional murals that are being painted, I am loving that we are becoming known for becoming an arty little town and for that I say thank you to the Sunshine Coast Council. Keep the artwork coming.

VICTORIA TAYLOR

Caloundra

Originally published as New streetscape is money well spent in Caloundra