Date

Friday, 2 October 2020

Release

Shellharbour Mayor Marianne Saliba will help plant one of 15 historically significant fig trees along a new corridor of the Albion Park Rail bypass on Friday.

Member for Kiama Gareth Ward will join Mayor Saliba to help with the planting near Croom Regional Sporting Complex in Shellharbour City. Staff from Transport for NSW and contractor Fulton Hogan will also be onsite for the event.

Council staff grew the trees from cuttings from the large fig tree that stood in Little Park, Shellharbour Village prior to the establishment of a new playground.

Caroline Chisholm camped under the old fig tree in Little Park when she assisted settlers to Shellharbour in 1843. https://museum.shellharbour.nsw.gov.au/caroline-chisholm/

Mayor Marianne Saliba said that propagated trees had historic and sentimental value for the Shellharbour community.

“Unfortunately, the large fig tree in Little Park had to be cut due to safety reasons. So beloved was the tree, the community told us they wanted it incorporated it into the new Little Park, where it stands today,” Cr Saliba said.

“To ensure the tree’s life and history continued, Council staff grew 60 baby figs from cuttings, which are now around 6ft tall. I planted the very first of these baby trees at Shipman’s Park, Flinders, in December 2018.

“The remaining trees will be planted throughout the city so that the life of this tree continues for generations to come.”

Media enquiries: Kelli Wells 0448 361 008

Last updated : Mon 19 Oct 2020