To support this work, the NSW Department of Planning, Housing, and Infrastructure (DPHI) has developed Greening for Cooling. The online toolkit provides practical guidance, evidence-based resources and case studies to help maximise the cooling benefits of trees and other green infrastructure.
Many Greater Sydney councils are already putting these principles into practice through plantings in urban areas. Here are some of the councils helping cool their communities this National Tree Day.
North Sydney Council
Every year since 1999, North Sydney Council has come together with their community to host National Tree Day events. Volunteers have helped to build buffers and connectivity between habitats to expand fauna habitat, supporting the local environment while building relationships with other locals. North Sydney Bushcare coordinator Gareth Debney says, “We’ve seen fauna moving into areas they haven’t usually been, including swamp wallabies and long-nosed bandicoots.”
This year, the Brightmore Reserve site will form part of the Cremorne-to-Cammeray wildlife corridor.
Kurnell, Sutherland Shire Council
The Bushcare team at the Sutherland Shire Council are inviting volunteers to join them at Bonna Point, Kurnell this Tree Day. Their event will be a feel-good day outdoors, involving planting, weeding, watering and caring for a green local space.
Blacktown City Council
For those living in Western Sydney, an event that may be near you is at Heber Park, hosted by Blacktown City Council. The community will come together to plant 2,000 native plants to create habitat for local wildlife and provide shade to reduce urban heat. The seedlings are grown from seed, collected locally and nurtured in a nearby nursery.
Strathfield Council
Hudson Park will be the location for Strathfield Council’s event, which will be held over three morning sessions on Sunday 26 July. Learn about local plants and get your hands dirty planting native seedlings to support wildlife, improve waterways, and strengthen urban ecosystems.
Marrickville, Inner West Council
The Inner West Council’s Urban Ecology team will be inviting volunteers to take part in a National Tree Day planting and restore an area of Estuarine Swap Oak Forest. The planting of mid and understory vegetation will help to increase habitat corridors for local native fauna along the river.
Woollahra Municipal Council
If you're in the Eastern suburbs, you might like to check out the event hosted by Woollahra Municipal Council at Cooper Park. A range of local native trees and shrubs will be planted in the bushland reserve, extending the habitat corridor for small birds and other wildlife.
These are just a few of the councils and community groups hosting plantings this year. Creating cooler, greener neighbourhoods is a shared effort, and councils across Greater Sydney are showing what’s possible through thoughtful planning and investment in urban greening.
By volunteering your time to plant a tree - or more - you’re helping to create cooler suburbs, protect endangered ecosystems, and support the wildlife that call Sydney home. Grab a hat, bring a friend, and join your community in making a lasting impact!
To find a planting site near you, click here. To explore the Greening for Cooling resource, visit the NSW Planning website.