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Statement of Significance

Peacehaven Botanic Park is a remnant part of the dairy farm previously owned by Stan Kuhl of Highfields, who gave this area to the Crows Nest Shire Council (now amalgamated into the Toowoomba Regional Council) in December 2004. These old eucalypts are remnants of the original open eucalypt/bloodwood forest first cleared in the 1870s and are outstanding examples of their species. Their presence as majestic relict trees commemorate Stan Kuhl, who farmed this land and gifted it to the community. Wishing to protect the land, the trees, and the vista westwards to the Bunya Mountains and to establish a place of peace, harmony and tranquillity for the local community, he gave 4.7 hectares of land surrounding his house, together with a substantial sum to establish the first phase of a botanic park. The agreement with the shire council stated that the land was to be 'preserved as a botanical garden and parkland'. Unfortunately, Stan Kuhl died soon after his generous benefaction. The walkway to the picnic grounds in the Park has been named Stan Kuhl Way in his memory. These towering, aged forest giants are a dominant feature within the Park. In earlier times trees such as these were the basis for a thriving timber and sawmilling industry that has virtually disappeared. They are unmissable signposts to bygone times in an area that is being increasingly closely settled and where such trees, particularly in a group, have fallen victims to development.

The Stan Kuhl Gum Trees are defined as all of the remnant eucalypts in the park. A particularly eye-catching feature is the group of trees in the southern corner of the Park. There are other majestic gums in other areas of the Park, including two grey gums by the lake that, framing reflections and sunsets on the lake as they do, must be among the most photographed trees in Queensland. Two pink bloodwoods, one near the central walkway from the carpark and the other below the rotunda, are also impressive. The many hollows in these trees provide shelter and nesting places for birds and animals and their flowers provide nectar. While the dominant eucalypt species in Peacehaven is E. biturbinata (there are about 30), the main clump of trees in the southern corner is a remnant of the E. pilularis open forest ecosystem (as per 12.5.6c in the Queensland Government Regional Ecosystem https://apps.des.qld.gov.au/regional-ecosystems/details/?re=12.5.6). It is rated as endangered and usually occurs on deep red soils on remnant tertiary surfaces, such as the soils found in Peacehaven Botanic Park.

As well as its ‘signature’ Stan Kuhl Gums, Peacehaven Botanic Park has over 400 specimens, at least 60% of which are representative of species found in local regional ecosystems. The collection contains at least 15 species that are classified as rare (near threatened), vulnerable, endangered or critically endangered. The Stan Kuhl Gums are highlighted in fact sheets for distribution to visitors and nine of the trees have signs showing their scientific and common names.

Notes

The Friends of Peacehaven Botanic Park Inc. (https://www.peacehavenpark.org.au/) is a voluntary community-based group that strives to achieve Stan Kuhl's vision by working with Toowoomba Regional Council to maintain and develop the park, its trees and other native plants, and its facilities.

Facilities include electric barbecues, sheltered tables, children’s play areas, convenient seats, and public toilets. The Friends raise funds for facilities, run a native plant nursery with sales to the public, emphasise the planting of local native plant species and endangered Australian trees and shrubs, run school and community workshops and working bees, and promote the park and its concepts.

Educational activities include guided walks, nursery advice and training, public talks and seminars, labelling of plants, providing fact sheets, and developing activities for student education. They also carry out projects such as ‘The Stump in Time’ display in which the growth ring chronology evident in an ancient blackbutt stump, is linked to local and national historical events over 200 years. The Friends also maintain an herbarium with many specimens of local plants, including the 134 specimens collected by the late Ben Gilbert from plants on his farm 'Regent Vale' (site of the Gummingurru historical meeting place of the Jarowair people, just 4 km west of Peacehaven). The expanded dried seed capsule of the ancient Crows Ash tree in the park is the botanical symbol of the Friends of Peacehaven Botanic Park Inc.

The history of the Kuhl family and of Peacehaven Botanic Park was comprehensively described in 2023 in the book: Peacehaven Botanic Park – Legacy of a Pioneering Family written by Barbara McKenzie, published by Barleyfield Publishing, Highfields, Queensland (ISBN978-0-646-87318-3).