newy.com.au – More than 160 City of Newcastle and Hunter New England Health staff have helped plant a community tiny forest at Wallsend as part of a $500,000 urban greening project.
The forest at Collier Street Park will be one of two covering a combined 1,185 square metres under the Greening Wallsend initiative, which aims to reduce urban heat, improve biodiversity and create more habitat for native wildlife.
The broader project will deliver 150 street trees and 70 park trees at locations including Whitegates Reserve, as well as a community planting opportunity at Neals Park. Almost 3000 square metres of biodiverse verge gardens will also be established beside western corridor road upgrades.
City of Newcastle executive manager environment and sustainability Marnie Kikken said Wallsend faced significant environmental challenges.
“Wallsend experiences significant urban heat, biodiversity gaps and declining private vegetation cover,” Ms Kikken said.
“The urban forest improves the health of residents by improving air quality and providing a buffer to heat sources, including major roads, while also supporting mental wellbeing and enhancing the liveability of the area.”
The initiative began with local students taking part in Schools Tree Day, followed by a National Tree Day event attended by more than 250 people. Participants planted trees, learned about local biodiversity and joined guided walks.
City of Newcastle has partnered with local not-for-profit organisation The Groundswell Collective to plan, establish and monitor the tiny forests.
The project is intended to create connected canopy and vegetation for pollinators and threatened or iconic species, including the squirrel glider. Increased vegetation is also expected to provide more shade and reduce the suburb’s urban heat.
Hunter New England Health’s Alana Stoeger said the forests near the Wallsend health campus would benefit staff and residents.
“Extreme heat is a well-documented driver of poorer health outcomes, particularly for vulnerable populations,” Ms Stoeger said.
“Increasing canopy cover will directly reduce that heat island effect and the associated risk of heat related illness while creating green space for nature-based, culturally responsive health interventions that support physical and mental wellbeing.”
The NSW Government has provided $400,000 towards the project through its Greening Our City Grants program.
Wallsend MP Sonia Hornery said it was the first time this type of funding had been extended beyond Sydney councils.
“These trees will contribute to shading, improve air quality and reduce urban heat, all while contributing to a more aesthetic environment,” Ms Hornery said.
Once mature, trees planted through the project are expected to increase Wallsend’s canopy cover by almost 13,000 square metres. The work will contribute to City of Newcastle’s citywide targets of 30 per cent canopy cover in road reserves and 40 per cent in open space by 2045.greening-wallsend
