In a time when off-street parking is more valuable than ever, one group of residents in Hobart has taken the unconventional step of giving up parking spaces — to make room for more greenery.
Peter Hill loves living on Rupert Avenue in Hobart's inner-city suburb of Mount Stuart.
During a Christmas Eve street gathering several years ago, Mr Hill told reporter Andy Gall on ABC Radio Hobart's Breakfast program that he and his neighbours agreed they lived in a "wonderful street", but it needed something more.
"Somebody threw in the idea that it's an avenue, it should have trees," he said.
And just like that, the seed was planted.
An idea that grew
Mr Hill said the three-year process had been "quite the adventure".
It presented several challenges, one of which was the question of where the trees could be planted.
Mr Hill rang the Hobart council to enquire about the idea and was put in touch with city greening lead Ruby Wilson.
Ms Wilson examined the avenue and said she explained to the residents that the only viable way to gain more trees in the street would be to sacrifice several parking spaces.
She expected them to put push back but was pleasantly surprised by their response.
"They said, 'Great! that sounds good'," she said.
"It's obviously not very common, and not a solution that will fit every street.
"But it's one design that we have that worked for this community."
The path to having the trees planted had several obstacles.
"Whenever we try and put trees in streets there are lots of challenges," Ms Wilson said.
The process involved a community petition, which resulted in 83 per cent of people voting in favour of the trees.
"What we love is a whole community coming to us and saying that they want more trees," Ms Wilson said.
"When we have a whole street we know we can get something really special happening like we have here."
Residents excited
The planning for the trees to go into Rupert Avenue involved several considerations, including footpath accessibility, and the impact on services under and above ground.
Ms Wilson said it was crucial that the placement of the trees was well-considered and fit around the street's essential services, but that greenery could be viewed as essential too.
"We are really starting to see trees become essential elements of streets," she said.
Another challenge the residents and Ms Wilson encountered was discovering that Rupert Avenue was due to be resurfaced prior to the tree planting.
It meant they had to get in first.
"We came in and dug out quite a considerable area for each tree prior to the resurfacing," Ms Wilson said.
That ensured the spaces left for the future trees would provide the environment they needed to grow well, without the road being impacted.
Now nine crepe myrtle trees have been planted, the City of Hobart will care for them over the next two years to ensure they grow safely and can be monitored for dangerous branches.
The planting of the trees marked a full-circle moment for Mr Hill, who said he was looking forward to seeing them grow and enhance the avenue he calls home.
"It's going to be gorgeous," he said.
