Selected street trees have been planted in South Windsor and Bligh Park using a State Government grant of $12,500 and matching funding of $12,500 from Hawkesbury City Council. The funding will also enable follow-up management over the next 12 months.
It is hoped that the extra trees will help to offset the urban heat island effect created in Sydney by increased development to meet housing supply targets.
Five Million Tree program will see five million trees planted in Sydney by 2030 under the $37.5 million State Government program.
Many councils throughout Australia have been implementing increased canopies for their regions over the years, including the Hawkesbury, so this is a welcome added initiative, the Mayor of Hawkesbury, Councillor Barry Calvert said.
“With the increased rate of development across Sydney, research has found temperatures are increasing, so anything we can do to help cool the Greater Sydney region has to be a good thing,” the Mayor said.
“The aim is to grow Greater Sydney’s tree canopy by planting more trees in streets, parks, bushland areas neighbourhoods and schools, front and backyards.
“More tree canopy means cooler suburbs by reducing the heat island effect, more wildlife habitat, more shade and more desirable properties.”
