TWELVE tuckeroo trees, six on either side of George Street, have been planted at Kalbar thanks to funding from a Federal Government Queen’s Jubilee Program.
Kalbar Progress Association (KPA) president Wilson Neuendorf had been working to secure some advanced street trees for the past three years.
Last Saturday morning Federal Member for Wright Scott Buchholz officially ‘launched’ the project and took time to inspect the trees in their new homes.
“Scott Buchholz encouraged us and Chris Gray applied for the grant, he was the driving force behind it,” KPA member Neil Pennell said.
“Tuckeroo trees encourage birdlife because birds like to eat their seeds.
“They also do really well as street trees, they’re pretty hardy.”
Mr Buchholz said KPA had worked hard to make their town a beautiful part of the Scenic Rim to visit.
“Even just being a community member, I have watched this area grow and prosper over the past decade,” he said.
“Years ago house prices were going backwards and then up pops White Chapel and with that comes that energy and the revamping of this area.
“Now there are new fences, the hotel motel going in and a choice of five coffee shops.
“These trees are going to provide the shade needed to keep cars cool in the middle of summer and make it a wonderful destination to visit.”                                                                       Scenic Rim MP Jon Krause said it was amazing how greenery was able to improve the way a town looked.
“The saying that first impressions last is quite true and when visitors drive down Kalbar’s main road for the first time they’ll remember it for how scenic it is,” he said.
“We are always looking to improve the streetscape of our towns and I really appreciate [Mr Buchholz] advocacy and the KPA for getting funding for this project.”