Blacktown City Council and the NSW Government planted 238 more eucalyptus trees along the walking corridor from Breakfast Creek between Quakers Hill Parkway and Falmouth Road.
Council has received $775,000 funding as part of the Greening the Great West Walk program to support local environmental efforts, planning and public spaces minister Paul Scully said.
Avid walkers would admire the leafy improvements with native flora and enjoy shade along the way especially when summer hits.
Mr Scully said Council was playing a vital role by increasing local tree canopy to provide much-needed shade and reduce urban heat.
“This funding will help support important work being done around Blacktown to improve the environment as well making the area more beautiful for locals and visitors to enjoy,” Mr Scully said.
“Wandering through this corridor and taking in the sights and sounds of Blacktown City is one of the many delights of the Great West Walk,” Blacktown City mayor Brad Bunting said.
“I’m delighted people can now do that and enjoy a cooler and more enjoyable experience.”
While keeping walkers cool, as part of the Council’s efforts to cool the city, the increased tree canopy will improve biodiversity and habitat.
Clr Bunting said more tree canopy cover was “just one of the ways Council is limiting the effects of extreme temperatures on the community.”
More trees will be planted along the corridor from Falmouth Road to Breakfast Road in the next stage of the project with the planning and public spaces department.
Blacktown MP Stephen Bali said tree planting initiatives like this will improve the long-term health of residents.
Council and Western Sydney University are conducting the first urban heat monitoring study across Blacktown City to better inform work to mitigate extreme temperatures.
Council is also reviewing its Development Control Plan to ensure builders use materials that reduce heat and is working with the Western Sydney Regional Organisation of Councils and the Greater Sydney Heat Taskforce to identify new ways to limit heat impact.
For more information on the Greening the Great West Walk program visit: https://www.planning.nsw.gov.au/policy-and-legislation/urban-greening/greening-the-great-west-walk.
