By Alesha Capone
It’s trees’ time in Wyndham.
Wyndham council plans to plant 7500 new trees across the municipality next year, under its 2020 Street Tree Planting Program.
This program is being delivered as part of the council’s plan to have 12.5 per cent of the municipality covered by a tree canopy by 2022.
Wyndham’s environment and sustainability portfolio holder Cr Heather Marcus said the council was also aiming to have “100 per cent of suitable nature strips” planted with a tree by 2040.
Cr Marcus said trees were an “immense asset to both the environment and community”.
“They provide … shade to keep our houses and streets cool, wind protection, the reduction of stormwater run-off, pollution absorption, habitat for our local wildlife, and improve the look of our roads and streets,” Cr Marcus said.
“Recent research shows Wyndham has a low canopy cover of 3.6 per cent, that’s half a per cent lower than other councils in the Melbourne region.
“Letters have been sent to those residents who have a nature strip marked for a new tree and the sites will then be individually assessed for suitability. If the site is deemed suitable, residents will receive a brochure to confirm that they will be receiving a new tree in 2020.”
To check if your street will be receiving new trees next year, visit the council’s interactive map at www.wyndham.vic.gov.au/treeplanting.
Residents can provide feedback on the plan until November 30.
