Inner West Council is on track to exceed its previous record of tree planting in parks and streets across the area. Since a new programme of tree plantings began in 2020, more than 3200 mature trees have so far been planted.
The program continues apace with a dramatic increase in spending this financial year and more than 800 new trees due to be planted by the end of 2022. These trees are above and beyond those council have planted in natural spaces, bush care and regeneration areas.
The publication next week of Council’s Tree Management Development Control Plan (DCP), is the first step in a comprehensive Tree Management Master Plan that is being developed to ensure that the right trees are planted in the right places.
The Inner West recognises trees are essential green infrastructure particularly in highly urbanised areas and are vital to creating a healthy and sustainable city. The DCP, as the first part of a more comprehensive master plan, recognises the multiple benefits that street trees provide, including improved mental health, shade, cooling, reducing pollution and giving our streets a sense of character.
Having made a massive investment in tree planting in the past two years, Council has budgeted $2 Million per annum in recurrent funding for tree planting in 2022/23 and all future years.
Inner West Councillor, Chloe Smith said; “The Inner West’s record investment in tree planting, which has seen thousands of mature trees planted across our suburbs, is a win for the community and the environment.
“This Council is firmly committed to increasing our urban tree canopy coverage. We must ensure that the right trees are planted in the right places now so that our communities will continue to benefit into the future.
The new Tree DCP is the next step in this process, continuing our mighty expansion of sustainable green infrastructure across the Inner West.”
A short video presentation of the importance of trees is available here
