WILLOUGHBY receive $500,000 in funding from the NSW Government to enhance the tree canopy and green cover in local streets and neighbourhoods.

Member for Willoughby Tim James said the funding, awarded through the NSW Government’s $10 million Greening our City program, will allow Willoughby City Council to undertake a tree planting and greening project in Willoughby South.

“Increasing the tree canopy in our local streets will provide much needed shade and shelter from the heat, improve our air and water quality, overall health and wellbeing and build our resilience to climate change,” Mr James said.

As part of this vision a hot, wide, car-dominated and barely vegetated 800m suburban street in Willoughby will be transformed into a cool, green, active travel boulevard connecting with the Penshurst Street Local Centre, Willoughby Public School and Willoughby Girls High School.  

The tree plantings will greatly enhance the existing tree canopy on the corridor down Edward and Penshurst Streets between Artarmon Road and Mowbray Road which currently has only 11% tree coverage.

“The Willoughby community is rightfully proud of our natural assets, and I am pleased to be able to work with Council to deliver this enhancement to our environment to ensure a greener, even more desirable area for us to live and play.” Mr James said.

Minister for Planning and Minister for Homes Anthony Roberts said 17 Greater Sydney councils would share in the funding, which will support 21 projects.

“More trees mean more shade, cooler suburbs and more attractive places to live and work. The projects selected through the program will focus on cooling and greening streets, parks, and active transport routes all around Greater Sydney.