The City of Greater Bendigo plans to plant 3,000 trees a year by 2024 as part of implementing the City’s Greening Greater Bendigo strategy.
The draft 2020/2021 Budget contains funding to extend the annual tree planting program, in order to increase shade across Greater Bendigo’s urban areas.
This initiative comes in response to an increasing number of tree removals over the past few years and an increasing number of customer requests for new trees.
The City currently plants approximately 1,200 new street trees each year and a similar number of trees have to be removed for a variety of reasons. The draft Greening Greater Bendigo strategy, which is due for formal adoption by Council next month, aims to increase tree cover and tree health.
Mayor Cr Margaret O’Rourke said without more investment, the City would not be able to increase tree cover.
“Urban trees not only enhance the appearance of our city and its streetscapes but are essential to creating a liveable community,” Cr O’Rourke said.
“They provide shade and cool urban areas, support physical and mental wellbeing and improve our natural environment. Tree planting on this scale is costly and requires lots of work to ensure the new trees thrive, so this funding will allow us to start working towards the goals outlined in the draft Greening Greater Bendigo strategy.”
To view the draft Budget, go to www.bendigo.vic.gov.au/budget
