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Fact: Trees help reduce urban heat and create cooler, more liveable communities and boost biodiversity. In great news, NSW neighbourhoods are about to get a whole lot greener. The Minns Labor Government has announced that it is investing almost $10 million to plant around 24,000 trees across Greater Sydney, the Illawarra-Shoalhaven, the Hunter and Central Coast.
Delivered through the latest round of the Greening our City grants, 28 projects will be funded to provide more shade in parks, greener streets and public spaces that feel noticeably cooler in summer. Research shows shaded surfaces can be 11-25°C cooler than unshaded areas – a big difference during our summer heatwaves.
Importantly, most trees will be planted in suburbs with low existing canopy cover. In fact, three-quarters of plantings will go into areas with just 10-20 per cent coverage, ensuring the benefits are felt where they’re needed most.
Across Greater Sydney, nearly 12,000 trees and 35,000 square metres of understorey planting – the lower level of shrubs, grasses and vegetation below the tall canopy of trees – are on the way. Highlights include new green corridors in Cumberland, and a planting project of native plants and trees at Tahmoor Park in Wollondilly.
Beyond Greater Sydney, seven regional projects will be sharing more than $2.4 million. From cooling Shoalhaven’s carparks and Lake Macquarie’s heat hotspots to tree planting in Wollongong and expanded canopy in Cessnock, communities across NSW will soon enjoy cooler, greener surrounds.
Says Minister for Planning and Public Spaces, Paul Scully, “The Minns Labor Government is investing to build better communities right across the state. It will deliver beautiful public spaces where people can relax and play and critically it helps to reduce urban heat, creating cooler, more liveable communities.”