He believes that for Launceston to become “one of the great regional cities of the world” more trees should line the entire CBD, suburban streets and the arterial approaches to the city.

“In the established streets of Launceston laid out by our founding fathers, we enjoy a rich endowment of parks, gardens and trees. David Street is a wonderful example of a street adorned with green beauty,” he said.

“Looking ahead, we must ensure our new suburban streets and supporting infrastructure are designed to accommodate corridors of green.”

He said while the Chamber was supportive of the council’s City Heart Project, it only introduced a “limited number” of trees. 

City of Launceston general manager Michael Stretton said more trees and greenery was one of the seven design principles adopted as part of the LCHP master plan.

“In the next few years, the number of trees in public spaces in the CBD will greatly increase as different elements of the LCHP roll out,” he said.

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“The LCHP's major CBD redevelopments provide a very rare opportunity to fully integrate trees and other elements of green infrastructure into the streetscape. In the past we've largely been forced to retrofit around existing infrastructure and utilities, and that's resulted in compromised outcomes in some cases.”

The council planted 9000 trees across the municipality last year, including nearly 300 in urban areas of the city, Mr Stretton said.

“We also explore opportunities to harvest stormwater to water trees, encourage broader nature strips in new residential subdivisions to better cater for trees, and separate trees from underground utilities to prevent future problems,” he said.

Mr Holder believes the council should be more bold.

“Perth and Campbell Town provide further examples to the City of Launceston in how to plant trees to maximum effect,” he said.