Heritage and Character Housing - Townsville City Council

Understanding our garden heritageWidespread clearingThe original vegetation of Townsville was substantially cleared in earlysettlement. Trees were primarily cut for firewood. By the 1880s, photos ofTownsville show only a few trees left amongst the houses. Though areasof original vegetation remained, the tree clearing and the dry rockyhillsides led to a stark appearance for the town.GoatsIf properties had not been fenced it would have been difficult to establishgardens near Castle Hill, due to the wild, roaming goats.Harsh climate and water shortagesThe efforts of gardener's were limited by the hot summer climate, poorsoils, the availability of only precious tank water, or bore water for thewealthy. The seasonal shortage of water restricted the scope of Townsvillegardens until the construction of the Ross Dam in the 1970s.In the first twenty or so years of settlement, roads were not sealed anddust blew over the gardens from the dry streets. In fact, all roads inTownsville were not fully sealed until the 1990s. Extensive gardens wererestricted to the wealthy due to the need for labourers to assist withwatering and other maintenance tasks.Availability of suitable plantsMr W Aird's garden inWalker Street, 1907.The garden includedcoconut palms, cycads,massed shrubs andflowerbeds andspecimen trees in thelawn (JOL).Many of the plants available outside of Queensland in the first 40 years ofsettlement were unsuitable for the Townsville climate. However, by the1920s and 30s, suitable tropical plants were grown in local nurseries.Poinciana’s, rain trees, terminalia, calophyllums (beauty leaf), umbrellatrees and fig trees were common in streets and gardens, and crotons andacalyphas were popular garden shrubs.