Cooling the streets with tree planting

Wednesday, 16 March 2022

Penrith City Council is planting trees along the nature strips of several streets, parks, and reserves over the coming months as part of Council’s Cooling the City strategy.

This work will see 5,000 trees planted in suburbs Council has identified as having fewer trees and with communities that may be vulnerable during periods of extreme heat. The suburbs in the project include Erskine Park, St Clair, Colyton, North St Marys, and Oxley Park.

By planting trees along nature strips in these locations, Council is providing additional shade for streets which may help cool homes and recreation spaces so community members can comfortably engage in outdoor activities over the summer period.

Penrith Mayor Tricia Hitchen praised the street tree planting and encouraged residents to get involved and learn more about the benefits of tree planting, with opportunities listed on Council’s Have Your Say page.

“The street tree planting is a continuation of work Council has previously conducted, including our successful Cooling the City Masterclass and heat sensor work with the University of Western Sydney,” Cr Hitchen said.

"We’ve heard from many residents about their experiences with extreme heat and identified from these conversations that they felt substantial tree cover was much cooler and made outdoor recreation more enjoyable.

“Residents will have the opportunity to attend event days where they can learn more about the species being planted in the area, the benefits of tree planting, and ways that they can get involved and help these trees thrive,” she said.

The Department of Planning and Environment’s Executive Director, Green & Resilient Places, Steve Hartley, said the NSW Government was committed to making Greater Sydney a cooler and greener place for everyone.

“One of the many ways we are working to cool our suburbs down all year round is through the Greening our City grant program that is proudly funded by the NSW Government.

“All trees planted count towards the Premier's Priority to deliver one million new trees across Greater Sydney by the end of 2022,” Mr Hartley said.
With this funding assistance, Penrith Council is achieving its vision of a greener, more liveable city in line with its existing Cooling the City strategy.
Council will be maintaining these trees during the first 12 months of establishment and will encourage residents to learn how they can help these trees thrive at engagement days and via the Greening our City’s Have Your Say page.

Residents can keep up to date with the street planting project and provide feedback by following the Greening our City Have Your Say page at yoursaypenrith.com.au/GreeningOurCity

Find out more about Penrith Council’s Cooling the City strategy at penrith.city/coolingthecity

Find out more about the Department’s Greening our City at https://www.dpie.nsw.gov.au/premiers-priorities/greening-our-city

The project is proudly funded by the NSW Government's Greening our City grant. With this funding assistance, Penrith Council is achieving its vision of a greener, more liveable City in line with its existing Cooling the City Strategy.

Information contained within this news release was correct as at Wednesday, 16 March 2022.