Quick Poll
If we did just ONE thing to improve our urban forest, what should it be?
As our population grows and our climate changes it is important to nurture our natural assets and plan for future generations.
Camden Council is preparing an Urban Forest Strategy.
The urban forest is made up of all vegetation in an urban area. It includes the trees, shrubs, grasses and groundcovers found on public and private land, as well as the soils and water that support them.
Council manages a good proportion of the urban forest including over 50,000 street trees and over 70,000 park trees, plus gardens in streets, parks and town centres. These areas provide a raft of benefits including shade which reduces urban heat, improving our streetscapes, creating a healthier environment, increasing property values and providing habitat for animals.
The urban forest of today is facing a set of challenges including urban growth and development, competition for space, tree age and diseases, and a changing climate.
Our Urban Forest Strategy is being developed to provide direction and vision to understand, protect and grow our urban forest. This will include examining best practice management as well as planning for, regulating and encouraging tree planting in the public and private realm. Key initiatives and activities will be identified in the strategy to address the challenges and that will result in a resilient forest that supports our semi-rural character.
Get involved in shaping our future canopy
By providing your feedback you will be able to help shape our targets and actions for the strategy and assist in setting the direction to achieving a healthy and resilient urban forest which provides immense benefits to our community.
Please share your thoughts with us.
You can use the Quick Poll, Survey, Map or Ideas Wall to let us know your thoughts.
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Shape our strategy
Complete a survey and help us to identify our strategic direction.
Show us where...
Pop a pin on the map and tell us what you like about the trees in that spot or identify a location which could be improved.
Plant a seed
Got a great idea that could help our urban forest to grow? Share your thoughts and check out the ideas suggested by other community members.
Frequently Asked Questions
We've anticipated and answered some questions below. If you have further questions please send an email to trees@camden.nsw.gov.auAn 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.
Our strategy will align with:
- Greater Sydney Region Plan - A Metropolis of Three Cities
- Greater Sydney Commission Western District Plan
- Urban Green Cover Technical Guidelines
- Greener Places Design Guide
- Greener Neighbourhoods Guide
- Western Sydney Street Design Guidelines
This strategy is being funded through the NSW Government Greener Neighbourhoods Grant Program. In 2022, the program awarded $1.37 million to 28 councils across Greater Sydney to deliver 32 projects. This funding will help Camden strategically plan for and manage our urban forests through the development of an Urban Forest Strategy 2023-2023.
At Camden Council we value our trees highly. Trees are important for a variety of environmental, social and economic reasons. They add character to our landscape, preserve biodiversity, and provide shade, shelter and habitat for fauna.
Currently Council plants 500 to 1000 trees each year and manages more than 2000 customer requests.
