September 2022 Update
I am very excited to announce that an additional 32 Crepe Myrtle trees will be planted in the median strip along Mabo Boulevard between Mobourne Street and Roy Marika Street.
The trees are being planted as part of the ACT Government's spring planting season which started in September and runs through to December 2022.
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Thank you to those who took part in the Mabo Boulevard design survey! I’m really excited to see some changes to the median.
As you know, I have recently run a survey of Bonner residents to gauge what their preferences are in regards to improvements to the Mabo Boulevard medium. Over 300 people participated in the survey. The Minister will make a final decision on the median design and the trees are currently scheduled to be planted at the start of December 2021.
The Crepe Myrtles are now scheduled to be planted in the first week of December, rather than the original November timeframe - There has been a slight delay due to the lockdown and the weather.
The survey has finished and I have some results to present to you.
The Results Are In!
Tree Choice
54% of participants have voted for Crepe Myrtles to be planted along the median of the Boulevard;
46% of participants have voted for a mix of Banksia and Melauca trees.
Boulders
75% of participants would like to see boulders included in the future where possible;
25% would not.
Spaces between the trees along the Boulevard
81% of participants would like to see gaps in the trees along the Boulevard to act as unofficial pedestrian refuges in the median;
19% would not.
More information about Crepe Myrtles
The Crepe Myrtle species that was chosen by the community is a cross of two species of the Lagerstroemia genus. Lagerstoemia Indica x Lagerstoemia Faurei. This cross results in the Tuscarora Crepe Mytle.
Lagerstoemia Indica originates from the Indian Subcontinent, China, Korea and Japan. Lagerstoemia Faurei is a species from Yakushima Island in Japan.
When these two species are crossed, it provides the Tuscarora Crepe Myrtle which has attributes well suited to the ACT region; including hardiness to cold and heat, tolerance of dry and wet as well as tolerance for various soil conditions. It is a common hybrid available around the world due to these attributes.
It is deciduous with upright, spreading branches. It has dark green leaves tinged with orange-red in the autumn before dropping. It produces masses of crinkly dark coral pink flowers through summer and early autumn.
Frequently Asked Questions
There were many helpful comments and many questions posed as part of the comments section of
the survey.
Q. Will the trees and the median be maintained?
A. Yes, Transport and City Services will be responsible for maintenance of both the trees and
the median, this includes: pruning of the trees and weeding of the median.
Q. Why were there only two options?
A. These choices of trees were available due to both the current soil depth of the median and
the trees which were available and appropriately mature for the Spring planting rotation of
Transport and City Services.
Q. Can we have grass/shrubs along the median as well?
A. Unfortunately, the shallow root structures of these smaller plants and ground coverings make it hard for them to survive in the median as it cannot be guaranteed they will get enough water.
Q. Can we have native species planted?
A. The selection of tress available for both the spring planting program and the soil and other conditions of Mabo means that the options were limited. When presented with a couple of options, the Crepe Myrtle was the clear choice from the community.
