SIX streets will be transformed over the coming months as part of Mildura Rural City Council’s Cool It Street Program.
The program aims to create healthier and greener neighbourhoods, providing quality tree canopy cover by planting semi-mature trees in areas most in need.
The community was encouraged to nominate streets for consideration earlier this year, with 100 nominations received.
The following streets have been selected to receive new plantings under the initiative:
- Wade Avenue, Mildura
- Eaglesham Street, Mildura
- Eastside Drive, Mildura
- Ellswood Crescent, Mildura
- Hazeldene Street, Mildura
- Shiraz Court, Mildura
Council has begun contacting residents of successful streets to detail the next stage of the program, which includes an online vote based on a selection of suitable trees for each street.
Participating residents have been provided with a direct link to the online vote to have their say.
Plantings will take place between now and August 2023.
Councillor for Environment and Sustainability Jason Modica congratulated the winning streets, and thanked those community members who showed an interest.
“It’s really exciting to now be moving forward with this exciting initiative which is set to enhance six local streets,” he said.
“The benefits of Cool it Street Program are to provide shade where there is none, improve streetscape amenities and walkability and showcase how we can better adapt to climate change.
“Council is looking forward to working with residents of the winning streets to finalise plantings.”
Ellswood Crescent resident Vanessa Sirgunas said she nominated her street for the program to provide more shade for surrounding residents during the summer months.
“When I saw the opportunity pop up online I nominated straight away as there’s hardly a tree to be seen in our area, so this is a great opportunity,” Vanessa said.
“I was originally going to ask for a tree for my own backyard, but ended up nominating our entire street as our neighbourhood would benefit from more shade during summer.
“A lot of kids in our area walk to school so it will benefit them to have some extra shade and protection when they’re walking along the footpath during the warmer summer months.
“There’s also the environmental benefits as well of course given the benefit more trees provide, including taking pollution out of the air and reducing soil erosion.”
