Contractors have been "de-husking" the Washingtonia palms in the CBD that make a mess during bad weather. The work is being done at night to reduce disruption. Photo / Murray Robertson
Contractors have been "de-husking" the Washingtonia palms in the CBD that make a mess during bad weather. The work is being done at night to reduce disruption. Photo / Murray Robertson
Most of the Washingtonia palm trees in the Gisborne CBD have been given a “shave” to reduce the considerable debris that falls off them in bad weather.
Overnight work has continued to remove the husks from the palms.
“Work has been done overnight to minimise disruption to the public andit should be complete by early January,” a Gisborne District Council spokeswoman said.
“Historically, dead husks on the palm trunks have become dislodged after high wind and heavy rain. Now the only husks that remain are firmly in place and will be tidied as required.”
It is the first time since the palms were planted in 2000 that the husks have been shaved off trunks. Photo / Murray Robertson
When the work was completed, the trees would have much less impact on the street and surrounding buildings, she said.
“This is the first time since being planted in the year 2000 that the palms have had their husks removed.”
Concern was raised to the Gisborne Herald about debris from the “de-husking” getting into guttering above city verandahs.
“The contractors have made a huge effort to clean up the tiny fibres as they go, with improvements to their strategy day by day and night by night,” the spokeswoman said.
Retailers spoken to are concerned about the build-up of fine palm debris in drains underneath the footpaths in the CBD. This drain was half full of it. Photo / Murray Robertson
“They are doing their best to tidy the site upon completing works each night. The CBD custodian then gives the street a final tidy before shops open and the public arrive in the morning.
“The long-term goal [is] to dramatically reduce ongoing maintenance for both residents and contractors.”
One retailer spoken to pointed to the build-up of fine palm debris in the drain underneath the footpath in their section of the CBD. On lifting the grill of the drain on the footpath it was half-filled with fine debris.
The retailer was concerned about flooding in heavy rain.
“The council’s stormwater team maintains the drains under the footpaths in the CBD, jetting and hydrovacing (high pressure water jet and suction system) to clear debris,” the council spokeswoman said.
“They do it on an annual schedule basis. This year’s scheduled clean-out was completed in June. The council has selected this period particularly to remove the leaf litter right after the leaf falling season.
“If there are any problems the council will check and clean as necessary.”
