Greening Our Community

Welcome to a greener, cooler and liveable community

As part of the State Government's Greening Our City Grant, Camden Council is planting over 2,000 advanced trees across the local government area with a focus on residential areas, commercial centres and high use open space areas.

The project will also include the planting of an additional 3,000 trees in micro-forests at key locations to provide dense canopy and cooling benefits. Micro-forests have been shown to capture carbon from the atmosphere, improve soil quality, provide habitat for wildlife and provide important cooling to address the impacts of urban heat.

What's happening in my area?

Council has carefully selected tree species for each location to ensure they will complement the existing streetscape and local environment. The selection is based on a range of factors including species performance, mature height, growth characteristics, amenity and climate resilience.

Use the links provided below for each Council Ward to see where we are planning to plant new trees

If you have any questions or would like to discuss this project, please contact our Urban Forest Services Team on phone 13 CAMDEN (13 226 336) or email trees@camden.nsw.gov.au

The trees will be planted in stages following community consultation undertaken for each Ward.

View the plans and live street data

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Click on the Council Ward you'd like to view (below) ↓.

2. Zoom in and out. Drag the cursor around to move across the map.

3. Click on a circle to see what is proposed for each location. The common and botanic names are listed for preferred species. If confirmed it will also display anticipated planting year.

South Ward

Plans and live data for street trees in Bickley Vale, Cawdor, Camden, Camden South, Elderslie, Ellis Lane, Grasmere, Kirkham, Narellan and Spring Farm.

View here
North Ward

Plans and live data for street trees in Bringelly, Catherine Field, Cobbitty, Harrington Park, Leppington, Oran Park and Rossmore.

View here
Central Ward

Plans and live data for street trees in Currans Hill, Gledswood Hills, Gregory Hills, Mount Annan, Narellan Vale and Smeaton Grange.

View here

Image showing the Greening our City flyer — Click here to download a PDF (1.19 MB).

Timeline

Timeline item 1 - complete

Project scope and analysis
Timeline item 2 - complete

Community Consultation - South Ward

August - October 2023
Timeline item 3 - active

Tree planting commences

October 2023 to October 2024
Timeline item 4 - active

Community Consultation - North Ward

November 2023 to March 2024
Timeline item 5 - active

Community Consultation - Central Ward

November 2023 to March 2024
Timeline item 6 - active

Tree maintenance

Continues for 12 months following planting

Frequently Asked Questions

We've anticipated and answered some questions below.

We will write initially to notify property owners of those who will be receiving new or replacement tree(s).

We endeavor to mark the kerb with the anticipated planting location several weeks prior to planting.

An urban forest comprises all trees and vegetation – and the soils and water that support them – in an urban area. These components are strategically planned, designed, and managed to support resilience and wellbeing. (Definition from NSW Greener Neighbourhoods Guide)

Urban forests are needed for combatting urban heat, maintaining amenity, providing habitat, improving liveability and providing ecosystem services.

The short answer is, it depends. Please use caution when researching potential tree sizes with Google or hearing personal anecdotes. Trees growing in urban environments are affected by multiple site constraints and factors that will affect their growth, and ultimately the size they will reach at maturity. In ideal urban conditions, they will generally reach about one-third to half the size that they obtain in their natural environments. Their growth, vitality and canopy cover at maturity is influenced by maintenance, soil type and volume, surrounding infrastructure, water availability, permeable surfaces, micro-climates, aspect and exposure to elements and how well they are protected and treated by people.

Council would love to facilitate each resident’s request for a particular species, and one day hope to do this. Due to our current resources and the nature and timing of the grants council have received, tree procurement is one of the first tasks of these projects, as sourcing hundreds of species and sizes from our nursery partners takes a lot of lead time and pre-planning. Council’s Urban Forest Services Team have a large amount of experience in these endeavours and aim for the right tree in the right place. When there is a current avenue of trees, we aim to continue and foster this over time. When streets have a mix of species, we also aim to foster this mix with a range of diverse families, genus and species of trees for biodiversity and amenity (different forms, shapes, sizes, features).

While Council understands that not everybody loves trees, we hope our Urban Forest Strategy 2023, along with answers provided may help alleviate any concerns or resistance that people may have. Our new trees are for current and future generations to enjoy, and we have a limited amount of plantable space within the LGA, so every tree and every space does matter.

All trees on public land are owned and managed by Council for the benefit of the community. Tree vandalism is a crime, and unfortunately occurs regularly in all Councils. Please report any cases of vandalism to Council. Rangers and Council staff will investigate and canvas the area for information. Where there is evidence of any wrong-doing, Penalty Infringement Notices or legal proceedings may result.

Contractors have been engaged to plant and maintain the trees for a 12 month period. The maintenance regime often requires a watering truck to supplement water on a scheduled basis. Council will formative prune and inspect the trees regularly and undertake other duties. After this period we do request that residents take an interest in any trees planted near their residence, especially during hot and dry periods and provide them with water and ongoing protection.

We also politely ask that residents do not prune the trees into shapes or to contain their growth, as this is also not permitted, and removes any benefits they will provide.

Contact Us

Have questions or want to learn more about a project, contact us below:

Name	Urban Forest Services Team
Phone	13 CAMDEN (13 226 336)
Email	trees@camden.nsw.gov.au

For translation assistance please use the translation tool at the top of the page or contact the Australian Government Translating and Interpreting Service on 131 450 and ask them to ring Camden Council on 13 226 336.

For hearing or speech assistance please contact the National Relay Service.

A greener, cooler and liveable community

Welcome to a greener, cooler and liveable community

As part of the State Government's Greening Our City Grant, Camden Council is planting over 2,000 advanced trees across the local government area with a focus on residential areas, commercial centres and high use open space areas.

What's happening in my area?

View the plans and live street data

South Ward

North Ward

Central Ward

Camden Council