A specialised Dry Tropics nursery responsible for growing tens of thousands of native plants for the region has been renamed after a long-serving Council employee.
In what Acting Mayor Ann-Maree Greaney described as recognition for invaluable service to Townsville's parks and gardens, Council has officially named its dry tropics nursery after long-time Parks team member Ken Armitage, who has clocked almost half a century with Council.
Councillor Greaney said Ken started out as a fresh-faced trainee in the Parks team more than 48 years ago and worked in a number of different positions in Parks, including a stint as onsite manager of Anderson Gardens, and is currently employed as a Senior Team Leader.
"Ken has served Townsville for near on half a century and in that time has literally shaped our city through our amazing parks and botanical gardens," Cr Greaney said.
"Throughout his time, Ken has filled a variety of positions. In fact, he was the first Team Leader of The Strand when it was newly minted in 1999.
"The nursery reflects Council's shared commitment to sustainability, resilience and community, so being able to recognise a man that gives the trees grown in the nursery and gardens across the city a run for their money when it comes to wisdom, is very special."
Councillor Greaney said the Dry Tropics Nursery was re-established in 2022, after Council recognised the need to be able to supply its own native plants that are uniquely suited to Townsville's dry tropics climate.
"Ken was pivotal in developing a business case to get the nursery back up and running, and by doing so we're able to save money when it comes to providing essential resources for revegetation, landscaping, and community-driven greening projects," she said.
"By growing and nurturing tens of thousands of native plants every year, we are investing in a greener and more sustainable future and creating a space where we can learn, collaborate, and make a tangible difference out in the community."
An official naming ceremony for the Ken Armitage Dry Tropics Nursery was held last week at Council's Wellington Street depot with some 70-odd attendees witnessing the unveiling of the nursery's new name, including some of Ken's current and former colleagues, senior management and councillors.
Ken Armitage said it was an honour to have the nursery named after him after years of work to get it re-established.
"It was a huge loss when we lost the nursery originally, the reality is you just can't buy trees that are perfectly suited to our region the way that our team can produce them here," Mr Armitage said.
"It's just something you never expect to happen, so to see the new sign and have the crews come out to celebrate, it was just really great to be there.
"The stock the team produce for the region is excellent, we used to lose a lot more trees when planting, but thanks to this great facility we lose very few these days when they go in the ground, to have a facility like the Dry Tropics Nursery is a dream come true."
Council's Acting Director of Infrastructure and Operations, Matt Richardson said in his 48 years of service, Ken had left an indelible mark on the city.
"Ken's contribution to the Parks team and the running of our city's parks and gardens can't be measured. This is a fitting name for our nursery."
Under its new name the Ken Armitage Dry Tropics Nursery will continue business as usual, supplying Council with native plants needed to maintain Townsville's parks and open spaces across the city, as well as plant giveaways at community events.
