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Council adopts Street Tree Strategy for a green, leafy city
Wednesday, 12 August 2009
9:51 AM
Media Releases
At last night’s meeting the Geelong Council adopted the Street Tree Strategy, which identifies actions to expand and improve Greater Geelong streetscapes.
The goal of the strategy is to increase the presence of street trees in the region as well as increasing public awareness of the benefits of trees.
The strategy was developed in response to a disturbing decline in the Greater Geelong tree population over the last 14 years
Parks and Gardens portfolio holder Cr Andy Richards said the strategy also identifies the need to develop species selection criteria to ensure that the right trees are planted in the right location.
“Applying these selection criteria will make certain that the trees we do plant will be there for a long time, and pose no risk to community members,” Cr Richards said.
“The strategy also highlights the benefits that can be reaped from trees, such as providing important habitat and food for birds, mammals and insects,” he said.
“Trees also remove pollutants and greenhouse gases from the atmosphere, improving air quality and reducing our region’s carbon footprint,” he said.
The strategy also lists an objective to step up the maintenance of existing streetscapes, including making recommendations for future conservation.
“The Street Tree Strategy will help Council to promote leadership, education and awareness of the benefits of trees throughout the community,” Cr Richards said.
“It is a blue print that shows us both how and why we need to create more natural streetscapes that will benefit not only our health but that of future generations,” Cr Richards said.
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