Douglas Shire Council supports all landcare groups, community groups, schools and individual landowners that are engaging in genuine revegetation projects.

In terms of Council responsibilities, our Open Spaces crew maintains one native plant nursery on Alchera Drive, Mossman, that supplies local tree planting groups as well as Council tree planting and revegetation/restoration activities such as, Reef Rescue projects and Tropical Tree Day.

Council does not sell to the general public but all residents are entitled to six native plants from the nursery each year to encourage healthy tropical gardens. The nursery is open every Wednesday to the general public, between 10:30am and 3:30pm, closed from 12:30pm to 1pm for lunch.

If the gate is locked our nursery team is probably out in the community planting somewhere and you will need to come back another time.

Click here to view the 2019-20 Natural Assets and Animal Management Report Card. 

Biosecurity Management

The pest plants and animals that are present in the Douglas Shire Council area are seen to be more or less of a threat depending on the primary values for which a landholder is managing the land.

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Responsible Tree Management

The Douglas Shire Council area is renowned for its stunning natural beauty, cultural landscapes and tropical streetscapes. Aside from its World Heritage protected landscapes, the area supports a rich diversity and maturity of trees. Council strives to protect trees. The removal of a tree is the last resort when alleviating tree-related problems. All other options are assessed and used in preference to removal.

Responsible tree management fact sheet

Grow me instead

Through the National Grow Me Instead program, Nursery & Garden Industry Australia is taking a significant step in tackling one of the nation’s most serious environment problems – the spread of weeds.

As part of the program, a Grow Me Instead booklet has been developed for each state/territory which contains a list of plants that were formerly grown and sold to gardeners and have since jumped the garden fence’ and become invasive in the natural environment.

Overgrown allotments

A property can be considered overgrown if the vegetation can afford shelter or attraction for vermin or is generally unsightly.

When Council receives a complaint about overgrown vacant land or neglected dwellings, a Local Laws Compliance Officer will inspect the property and if necessary, make arrangements for the property to be cleared.

Council must give due notice to the land’s owner to remedy the breach. If no action has been taken before this time elapses, Council will issue an Enter and Clear Notice to its subcontractors to appropriately treat the overgrown property. These costs are added to the owner’s rates notice for payment.