Sydney's urban greenery is as essential as broadband internet

Sydney’s first community planting day since the onset of the COVID pandemic is anticipated to attract more than 200 Sydneysiders to Sydney Park on Sunday with Lord Mayor Clover Moore announcing “trees and other urban greenery are as essential as roads and broadband internet.”

The event will see residents spending three hours planting 2000 native plants across the park as part of the City’s mission to restore 14 hectares of bushland for native conservation and biodiversity protection.

Wattles, Banksia, grasses, vines and perennial herbs are among the native species which will be planted during the day.

Sydney Lord Mayor Moore said the event represented a welcome return to normal for both gardening enthusiasts and members of the local community who were coming together for the event.

“It’s been almost three years since we’ve been able to hold a community planting event and it really is fantastic that we’re able to finally invite residents, community members and environmental enthusiasts to once again help our greening efforts in Sydney Park,” the Lord Mayor said.

“Everyone who takes part will plant a native shrub as part of the regeneration process. It will help make our city more liveable and let people reconnect following two years of the pandemic.

“It’s also an easy way to take environmental action. The restoration project will help bolster Sydney Park’s sustainable habitats for local wildlife, so come down and bring your family to take part in this fun filled day.”

There will be a coffee cart available and free fruit provided as part of the event, with urban ecology and city farm tours taking place during the day.

The Lord Mayor said the planting day was not only a fantastic way to bring the community back together, but that greening the city was an essential element of the fight against the climate crisis.

“Effective and extensive canopy cover can help reduce temperatures on the ground by up to 10 degrees.”

The City of Sydney is committed to an ambitious greening strategy which is aiming to cover 40% of the city in greenery by 2050.

“Our strategy re-affirms and extends our commitment to providing a greener, cooler, calmer and more resilient city. We have set ambitious targets and will work to ensure 40% of the City of Sydney’s footprint is covered with greenery by 2050,” the Lord Mayor said.

The community planting day will take place at the south-eastern area of Sydney Park on Sunday 15th May 2022 at 10am to 1pm.

For more details and to register, click here

Image: Sydney Planting. Credit: City of Sydney/Renee Nowytarger