Blacktown City becomes greener with tree planting program

Blacktown City is becoming even greener with nearly 2,000 extra trees planted across the City as part of the NSW Government’s 5 Million Trees program.

The program aims to plant 5 million trees across the Greater Sydney region by 2030 - more trees in streets, parks, backyards, neighbourhoods and schools, aiming to grow Greater Sydney’s tree canopy from 16.8% to 40%.

More tree canopy means healthier neighbourhoods, more shade, cooler suburbs, and habitats for wildlife.

The program works towards strengthening Sydney’s adaptability to climate change and to mitigating the incidence of the urban heat.

The NSW Department of Planning, Industry and Environment provided a $1 million grant to Blacktown City Council for the tree planting program, with Council matching the funds.

About 2000 trees have been planted so far and will be maintained for two years to ensure they last for a long time.

Mayor of Blacktown City, Tony Bleasdale welcomed the initiative as an important environmental program for the health of Sydney’s West advising “as we head into summer, residents of Blacktown City, and across Greater Sydney, will feel the impact of the urban heat island effect.

“Blacktown City has the greatest amount of open spaces of any council area in the Sydney basin.

“Sydney averages 10 days a year where temperatures are above 35 degrees. Western Sydney averages 10 to 20 days a year of temperatures above 35 degrees. That figure is predicted to rise to between 15 and 30 extremely hot days by 2039.

“It is essential that local councils and the state government work together to find ways to counter the increase, which if left unchecked will impact upon the health, productivity and wellbeing of our residents.

“I thank the NSW Government for their generous grant of $1 million for this important program, and I am proud Blacktown City Council was able to match this sum.

“The 1,900 trees planted across our local area will grow into green lungs for residents and visitors to our great City, and provide a natural and sustainable canopy into the future.”

The $1 million street project locations are Foxwood Avenue in Quakers Hill, Shannon Street in Lalor Park, Lombard Place in Prospect, Tantangara Place in Woodcroft, Don Mills Avenue and Reston Avenue in Hebersham, and Palmyra Avenue in Willmot.

The $1 million parks project locations are Alwyn Lindfield in Glenwood, Twin Gums Reserve in Lalor Park, William Lawson Park in Prospect, Blacktown Showground in Blacktown, Hanna Reserve in Oakhurst, and Peter Van Hasselt Park in Shalvey.

Council is in the process of scoping out locations for further tree plantings in 2021.

Blacktown City residents can also get involved in the program by planting their own tree. For more information go to 5milliontrees.nsw.gov.au.

Image (left to right, front to back) Department of Planning, Industry and Environment Executive Director Green and Resilient Places, Steve Hartley, with Blacktown City Councillor Brad Bunting, and DPIE Group Deputy Secretary Place, Design and Public Spaces, Alex O’Mara, with Blacktown City Councillor Susai Benjamin on Palmyra Avenue in Shalvey next to trees planted through the 5 Million Trees grant program