Willoughby will receive $500,000 in funding from the NSW Government to enhance tree canopy and green cover in local streets and neighbourhoods.
Member for Willoughby Tim James said the funding, awarded through the NSW Government’s $10 million Greening our City program, will allow Willoughby City Council to undertake a tree planting and greening project in Willoughby South.
“Increasing the tree canopy in our local streets will provide much needed shade and shelter from the heat, improve our air and water quality, overall health and wellbeing and build our resilience to climate change,” Mr James said.
“This funding will help Willoughby City Council progress the ‘Cool Places to Go’ project, an exciting, community-driven street greening and schools active travel initiative.”
As part of this vision a hot, wide, car-dominated and barely vegetated 800m suburban street in Willoughby will be transformed into a cool, green, active travel boulevard connecting with the Penshurst Street Local Centre, Willoughby Public School and Willoughby Girls High School.
The tree plantings will greatly enhance the existing tree canopy on the corridor down Edward and Penshurst Streets between Artarmon Road and Mowbray Road which currently has only 11% tree coverage.
The NSW Government will fund the street tree plantings whilst Council will fund traffic calming and active travel works.
“The Willoughby community is rightfully proud of our natural assets, and I am pleased to be able to work with Council to deliver this enhancement to our tree canopy to ensure a greener, even more desirable area for us to live and play.” Mr James said.
Minister for Planning and Minister for Homes Anthony Roberts said 17 Greater Sydney councils would share in the funding, which will support 21 projects.
“More trees mean more shade, cooler suburbs and more attractive places to live and work. The projects selected through the program will focus on cooling and greening streets, parks, and active transport routes all around Greater Sydney.
“We achieved our Greening our City Premier’s Priority of planting one million trees by the end of 2022 ahead of target and we’re now making in-roads into our longer-term goal of planting 5 million trees by 2030. These grants will continue our important work to increase Greater Sydney’s tree cover.”
The NSW Government is committed to lessening the impact of the urban heat island effect and improving the city’s resilience to a changing climate through increased tree planting, green infrastructure, and policy change to ensure the planning system supports green cover well into the future.
For more information on the Greening our City program and the projects selected, visit: https://www.nsw.gov.au/premiers-priorities/greening-our-city