Maitland secures $400,000-plus for tree canopy and understorey planting

newy.com.au – Maitland will receive more than $400,000 under the Minns Labor Government’s Greening our City program to boost tree canopy and understorey planting across hotter, lower-shade suburbs.

The funding is part of a NSW push to cool neighbourhoods, strengthen biodiversity and help regional cities manage heat stress as population growth increases pressure on urban environments.

In a statement on Friday 13 February 2026, Member for Maitland Jenny Aitchison said the program had been expanded to the Hunter, Illawarra-Shoalhaven and Central Coast, after previously being limited to Sydney under the former Coalition government.

The Maitland allocation will support targeted planting in areas with lower shade coverage and higher heat, with the aim of improving comfort in streets, parks and public spaces and building resilience to rising temperatures.

Aitchison said the work was about “planning ahead and protecting the liveability of regional NSW as our communities grow”, with the funding to help “increase tree canopy, cool local streets, and create greener, more welcoming parks and public spaces”.

“By expanding shade, improving air quality, and building resilience to rising temperatures, we’re making everyday places – from shopping areas to walking paths – more comfortable, healthier, and more enjoyable all year round,” she said.

The Greening our City program forms part of a $10 million statewide investment across 24 councils, expected to plant about 24,000 trees and deliver 47,000 square metres of biodiverse understorey planting.

Aitchison said research showed shaded areas could be 11–25°C cooler than unshaded spaces, with the program intended to deliver relief during hot weather and create safer outdoor play areas for children and more comfortable streets for older residents.

The NSW Government has published a full list of successful applicants under the latest round of Greening our City funding.