THE work of a community committee focused on local aesthetic improvement has seen new native trees planted in a Riverland town.
Planter boxes with young Taperoo trees have recently been installed along Waikerie’s Ian Oliver Drive by the Waikerie Ramco Recreation Grounds Committee.
Committee member Clive Matthews said the planter boxes were a cost effective and easy-to-maintain way of improving the community.
“It’s another step to beautifying the entrances to Waikerie,” Mr Matthews said.
“Once the old railway tracks were removed from Ian Oliver Drive and it was hotmixed, we thought it needed to be beautified a bit more with tree-plantings.
“This was the best option we could come up with without laying underground irrigation.As they grow, we can also move them around as we see fit.”
Mr Matthews said selecting plants for the boxes native to Australia and undemanding on water resources were a priority.
“It’s a Taperoo tree, which is a native plant and drought tolerant,” he said.
“I think Berri Barmera (Council) use them and it’s very popular on the Eyre Peninsula.
“Places like Whyalla have a whole major road of them… it’s a beautiful tree.”
Mr Matthews said the committee would examine further opportunities to “beautify the Waikerie and Ramco areas”.
“We’re in the process now of getting a strategic strategy plan together,” he said.
“(That’s) McCoy street, Peake Terrace is being upgraded as we speak and we want to beautify the river front, which is part of the river-front masterplan.
“There are quite a few projects, and we’re working along with Waikerie Delivers to make things come alive.”
It is understood the Waikerie Ramco Recreation Grounds Committee will be looking to install more planter boxes along Ian Oliver Drive in the future.