Forest of Hope Springs Up in Eraring Amid Growing Development Concerns

newy.com.au – As development pressures mount in Lake Macquarie, a community-led project in Eraring is planting a different kind of progress. This Saturday, residents will roll up their sleeves to create the region’s largest Tiny Forest—an ambitious planting of 1,500 native trees and shrubs in under three hours.

Backed by Lake Macquarie’s 2025 Local Environmental Leader, The Groundswell Collective, the planting will take place on Saturday, 5 April 2025, from 9:00am to 11:30am. The group has become known for turning climate grief into grassroots action, and this latest project marks their 11th Tiny Forest across the region.

Their approach isn’t just about trees—it’s about transformation. Using the fast-growing Miyawaki method, the group aims to create dense, native forests that reach maturity in 20 years instead of 200. These micro-forests don’t just cool the air and restore habitat—they rebuild community spirit.

“Tiny Forests give people a way to take climate action into their own hands,” said Director Anna Noon. “It’s a direct response to the despair many feel watching old-growth trees fall to make way for housing.”

The timing couldn’t be more significant. Just days ago, the Lake Macquarie Housing Forum highlighted a pressing need for 19,000 new homes over the next two decades. Most of this expansion is set for the western side of the lake—an area already grappling with four times as many extreme heat days as its eastern counterparts.

Recent land clearing at Myall Road, where ancient trees were quickly removed despite vocal community opposition, has left a mark on both the landscape and local trust. The Groundswell Collective hopes this new forest can begin to repair both.

To date, the group has engaged over 1,500 students and residents, planting nearly 9,000 native plants. This weekend’s event in Eraring is not only their most ambitious yet—it’s also a statement: that regeneration can be swift, and community-driven solutions can offer more than symbolic hope.

“People often arrive burdened and leave empowered,” Noon said. “It’s about more than planting trees—it’s about planting agency, resilience, and connection.”

Registration is open for all ages via this link, with the exact location provided upon booking.