Canberra’s 106-year-old Yarralumla Nursery will receive $690,000 worth of safety improvement works to ensure the Nursery can continue growing trees to be planted across the city.
The Yarralumla Nursery, which is estimated to have grown more than 50 million trees since being established as the Government Nursery in 1914, has helped to shape the ACT landscape including the iconic Parliamentary Triangle, Glebe and Weston Parks, and Canberra’s urban streets.
“The historic Yarralumla Nursery continues to make a substantial contribution to our city’s green, tree-lined streets, gardens and parks,” Minister for City Services Chris Steel said.
“Planning has commenced on restoring aged and unsafe heritage infrastructure including the propagation shed, roofs on major buildings, restoration of a 1930s glasshouse and the amenities facility.
“The Government is funding replacement of the Nursery’s bird net structure, which plays an important role in protecting tree stock from bird and hail damage, after being damaged by severe winds in September 2019 and subsequent storms.
“The improvements at Yarralumla Nursery also include the replacement of aged and unsafe benches in six historic glasshouses.
“The upgrades will provide a safer working environment for staff members, and for customers to the Nursery, while still preserving the heritage values of one of Canberra’s oldest establishments.
Mr Steel said the Yarralumla Nursery is continuing to make a meaningful mark on the ACT, growing and supplying an estimated 300,000 plants for people in the region each year.
“As part of our commitment to growing Canberra’s tree canopy cover, 4,000 trees were grown at the Nursery and planted across the ACT in autumn with more to come this Spring,” Mr Steel said.
“This is the first step in our commitment to plant a 30% canopy cover as outlined in the draft Urban Forest Strategy. The ACT Government is extending consultation on the strategy until 10 September so that Canberrans can have their say.”
“Up to 100 different species will be grown at the Nursery including a diverse range of maples, oaks, eucalypts, bottlebrush, crepe myrtle and ornamental pears to balance and diversify the urban forest with a range of tree species.
“Having locally grown and specially selected varieties will help ensure they are able to withstand our Canberra climate and will assist in keeping our streets cool during summer.
Through the ACT Government’s Jobs for Canberrans initiative, four people have been employed at the Yarralumla Nursery since late July to provide valuable assistance in maintaining the plants.
