Four suburbs in Sydney’s east are looking to a greener horizon after Randwick Council began its Greening Our City program on Tuesday 5 March to increase its urban tree canopy cover.

At least 2,000 trees will be planted across Malabar, Little Bay, Matraville and Chifley after Randwick Council secured funding from the NSW Government’s Greening Our City program.

Yesterday Randwick Council Mayor Philipa Veitch (pictured below) planted the first tree, a narrow-leaved ironbark, in Dive Street, Matraville.

“The next several months marks the start of a long-awaited transformation of several key Randwick City residential areas and main roads into lush, tree-lined streetscapes,” Mayor Veitch said. “This important initiative will enhance the wellbeing of our community in the long-term, providing more shade, cooler ambient temperatures, and fresher air.

“It will also add to the beauty and richness of our City and natural environment, which already includes a beautiful coastal landscape teeming with vegetation, neighbourhood parks, and Centennial Parklands.”

Randwick City has a canopy cover of only 16 per cent. The new initiative aims to increase this amount by establishing trees in communities that have the lowest canopy cover and are exposed to the highest amount of heat.

“This initiative is helping Council achieve its target of 40 per cent tree canopy cover on Council managed land by 2040,” Mayor Veitch said.

Council will plant 49 species of mostly native trees, including Scribbly Gum (Eucalyptus haemastoma), Bracelet Honey Myrtle (Melaleuca armillaris) and Sydney Red Wood (Angophora costata), over the next six months until August 2024.

Funding will also go to supporting the establishment of the newly planted trees for the first 12 months. Ongoing care for the trees will be part of Council’s maintenance program.

“The trees are there for the community to enjoy and will provide enormous benefits to residents over the years,” Mayor Veitch said. “We are looking to our residents to help take care of the trees, including reporting to Council any issues or incidents that affect their health and development.”