7.0 LANDSCAPE VALUES

The Lugarno/Peakhurst Study Area has very considerable distinctive landscape qualities based on the native forest and woodlands.

The stature and/or shape of the trees, the texture of the bark and foliage and the blending of the various species create individual character in a mosaic pattern throughout the Area.

For example, the denser canopy and height of the Turpentine and Grey Ironbark trees in the northern part of the Study Area is very different to the open nature of the more informal Sydney Peppermint and Sydney Red Gum at the southern end of the Peninsula.

This unique blend in each portion of the Study Area should be Protected and enhanced. Clearly, Turpentine from the clay soils should not be planted on the sandy soils of southern Lugarno.

Individual precincts should be protected by using the species which already occur within those precincts. For example, additional Roughbarked Apple should be planted in the vicinity of the present populations.

The Trust recommends that Council consider adopting a local native tree supply program to encourage Hurstville residents to plant local tree species. The program need not, and of course should not, be limited to the Study Area. Community group propagation from LOCAL GENETIC STOCK is also underway in the Oatley area and at other sites where indigenous trees survive. In areas of Hurstville where the original trees have been totally removed, the same species which still occur in the Study Area would be appropriate for planting as Blackbutt, Turpentine, Red Mahogany, Grey Gum, Roughbarked Apple and various other species would have been common throughout the municipal area.

The problem of maintaining genetic integrity does not exist in areas where the original trees have been totally removed.

Council's present program of removing unsuitable street trees is intended to save monies which can then be better spent on more suitable plantings. The allocation of a reasonable proportion of this money to an indigenous tree supply program for ratepayers would appear reasonable and proper.