Livingstone Shire Council Launches Sustainable Coconut Tree Management Initiative

Livingstone Shire Council has kicked off a proactive and sustainable Coconut Tree Management Project, designed to enhance public safety, reduce potential hazards, and explore creative community uses for coconut by-products.

With more than 790 coconut trees spread across the Shire’s public spaces, the project represents a balanced approach to managing these iconic palms—combining safety, aesthetics, and sustainability.

Councillor Rhodes Watson, a strong advocate for the project, said the initiative highlights Council’s commitment to environmental stewardship and innovation.

“This project is a great example of how a routine maintenance task can be transformed into an opportunity for sustainability, creativity, and community engagement,” Cr Watson said.

A key partner in the initiative is local organisation Coco Culture, which will work with Council to repurpose coconut fronds, husks, and shells into composting materials and creative resources for community workshops. Fresh coconuts will also be shared through local markets and business collaborations in Yeppoon and surrounding areas.

Coco Culture representative Manu Guerrero said the program supports a more thoughtful approach to palm tree management in public spaces.

“This is about more than sustainable harvesting—it’s a holistic, respectful approach to managing these trees with care and purpose,” Mr Guerrero said.

“Our workshops will focus on hands-on learning, cultural sharing, and practical reuse of natural materials.”

While green waste from previous coconut maintenance was already being redirected to beneficial uses—such as High Valley Dawn Permaculture Farm for mulch—this new phase strengthens that practice by embedding it more formally into community-based education and reuse programs.

“By mulching the coconuts for the past three years, we’ve been able to save on disposal costs by avoiding landfill,” Cr Watson said.

“I’ve always believed the best long-term solution was to partner with a company that could turn coconuts and palm fronds into useful products.”

The initial stage of the program includes scheduled pruning, hazard mitigation, and health assessments of coconut palms across four designated zones. Council is exploring the potential for a longer-term contract arrangement based on the success of this initial phase.

Council encourages residents to look out for upcoming school holiday program and to book early for workshops exploring the many sustainable uses of coconut materials.