Ipswich’s 90-year-old jacarandas celebrated with historical plaque
31 October 2022
It has been 90 years since jacaranda trees were first planted in Brisbane Terrace, Goodna and a plaque has been unveiled to recognise their historical significance.
Growth, Infrastructure and Waste Committee Chair Ipswich Mayor Teresa Harding said jacarandas can live up to 200-years-old.
“These historic jacarandas along Brisbane Terrace continue to bloom each year creating an annual purple carpet and people come from all over South East Queensland to see them,” Mayor Harding said.
“We are a heritage city and we wanted to recognise the history of these trees with this plaque as we continue to see these trees bloom for decades to come.”
Growth, Infrastructure and Waste Committee Chairperson and Division 2 Councillor Paul Tully said the plaque shares the history of Goodna’s beloved jacarandas with visitors and new residents of the suburb as well as telling the story of their important roots.
“These trees were planted in 1932 by work gangs during the Great Depression and are a testament to the resilience and strength of Goodna’s community spirit,” Cr Tully said.
“It is hard to imagine the work gangs who planted these trees would have expected at the time that their efforts would still be brightening up our community all these decades later.
“These jacarandas continue to delight locals and residents from across our city each year with their vibrant purple flowers and a plaque recognising their historical link to Ipswich is a fitting tribute.”
Division 2 Councillor Nicole Jonic said while many of the original trees have stood the test of time, severe weather over recent years has damaged some and others have had to be replaced.
“Hailstorms and wet weather destroyed some of the original trees and others were in poor health,” Cr Jonic said.
“So, last year we replaced those jacarandas with 50 new trees to ensure future spring seasons are signalled with more and more Jacarandas blooming.
“The trees were planted at Evan Marginson Park, Kippen Park, Leslie Park, Warren Park and Richardson Park near the Goodna Boat Ramp and I am pleased to say the new trees are thriving.”
The plaque installed alongside the Goodna Jacaranda trees reads:
This avenue of Jacaranda trees was first planted in 1932 by work gangs during the Great Depression. Brisbane Terrace was the main road from Brisbane to Ipswich and Toowoomba until December 1955. Many of the original trees have survived the floods of 1955, 1974 and 2011.
These Jacarandas have provided a beautiful backdrop to the Goodna Jacaranda Festival and their annual display of purple continues to attract visitors to the City of Ipswich.
Celebrating 90 years of Colour. Plaque unveiled 29 October 2022.