Landscape Contractor Magazine

The Fraser Coast Regional Council is raising the bar with a lofty 250,000 tree planting goal. It had previously set a target of 100,000 trees planted by 2030, which it has already reached four years ahead of schedule through the combined efforts of council, volunteers, community groups and local residents. Now, the council says it wants 250,000 trees planted by July 23, 2032, to mark the start of the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

Nominations for the Master Landscapers SA (MLSA) Awards of Excellence are set to close next week. MLSA is encouraging members to make their submissions to recognise outstanding people, projects and businesses within the landscaping industry.

$15 million has been allocated to play and sports-focused upgrades to Alexandria Park in Sydney’s inner south. New fitness equipment, refurbished amenities blocks and better lights, seats, barbecue areas, irrigation and pathways are planned alongside the new play equipment and sports court upgrades. The upgrade is part of a City of Sydney program renewing more than 60 parks of all sizes across the local area.

The Moyne Shire Council in Victoria’s south-west is investing $55,000 in funding towards the planting of indigenous vegetation. Funded through its 2026-27 Council Community Carbon Offset Program (C3OP), it will be split between two community organisations and 17 private landholders across the Council area. The successful projects include revegetation works on both public and private land across communities including Panmure, Wangoom, Woolsthorpe, Nirranda, Mortlake, Koroit and Port Fairy.

165 submissions from Australia and around the world have been made for the New South Wales Government’s Bays West design competition. Led by the Bays West Delivery Authority in partnership with Government Architect NSW, the competition will help shape the future of Sydney’s newest waterfront suburb, defining the look, feel, and character of two key areas of the precinct: the White Bay Power Station and Glebe Island precincts.

Nearly 400 trees are set to be removed as a part of the Adelaide Circuit Redevelopment Project. The South Australian government yesterday revealed designs for the new Adelaide Circuit, which is set to deliver the first ever MotoGP city street race in 2027. “In total, the project is expected to require the removal of 377 trees – the majority of which are unregulated, invasive species, dead or in poor health. Of these, 42 of the trees to be removed are significant,” the SA government says.

After significant community consultation, the West Coast Council in Tasmania have released plans for the redevelopment of the Strahan waterfront. A petition was put to the council by more than 100 locals in January, with the ‘unwalling’ set to follow the next round of consultation. The concrete wall constructed at the waterfront had become a significant point of community contention. “Council has listened to feedback from our community,” says West Coast Mayor Shane Pitt.

Canberra’s city centre will benefit from the planting of 140 new trees as a part of its Light Rail Extension project. The ACT government says it hopes the new plantings will help to “create a greener, more connected city”. These trees will be planted along the 2A extension from Alinga Street to Commonwealth Park. New species will include: Himalayan cedars; Tulip trees; London planes; Pin oaks; Japanese Zelkova; and Chinese elms. You can view a full interactive map of the new trees here.

Master Landscapers South Australia (MLSA) has revealed the seven nominees vying for four vacant board positions to be announced at this year’s annual general meeting.

The Knox City Council in Melbourne is committing to greener local parks, reserves, wetlands and streets with the planting of 2,500 new trees before the end of November. The council says it is taking advantage of growing season to “help grow a greener, healthier and more liveable Knox”. This will include a mix of native and non-native trees. Planting sites have been selected following inspections that help to identify where more tree canopy is needed, according to a council statement.