Urban Greening

We’re adding more plants and trees across our city, and caring for the ones we already have, through our Urban Greening Strategy.

Trees for the future

As our city grows, we want to make sure plants and all the benefits they bring aren’t left behind, so we're planting street trees in suburbs that need them most.

Next we are focussing on Dapto, Koonawarra, Kanahooka, Horsley and Haywards Bay.

If you’re a resident in these areas join our current program.

Why?

Plants and trees cool our towns and cities, reduce pollution and attract investment. They also make us healthier, happier and more productive.

Read the Urban Greening Strategy PDF, 8846.48 KB for more information on why and how Council is taking action to improve trees and plants in public spaces.

Get involved

Find out more below, including ways you can join in.

We're planting street trees in suburbs that need them most.

You can ask us to plant a tree in front of your home. You'll even be able to choose from a selection of suitable trees, or we can recommend one for you.

Request a tree in front of your house: Email or call us on (02) 4227 7111.

If you are a resident in Dapto, Koonawarra, Kanahooka, Horsley and Haywards Bay, learn more about our current program.

You can save around 20,000 to 40,000 litres of water per year by converting a verge lawn to a waterwise garden.

Residents can replace grass with plants on the Council strip (verge) between private property and the road.

Guidelines

Follow these guidelines to create a safe and successful verge garden:

Verge Planting Guidelines
Grow Local Guides (advice on edible and local native plant selection)

Inspiration

You can check out some examples of verge gardens at the locations below.

We've also included the plans (officially called 'planting schemes') used to create these gardens, and examples of some of the plants used.

Coledale Community Hall (native garden)

745 Lawrence Hargrave Drive, Coledale

Port Kembla Community Centre (mixed produce garden)

Cnr Wentworth and Church Streets, Port Kembla

More verge gardens coming soon...

Bellambi Neighbourhood Centre, 49A Cawley Street, Bellambi (Bushfoods garden)
Corrimal Short Street Occasional Child Care Centre, 18 Short St, Corrimal (Mixed native and produce garden)
Kemblawarra Community Hall, Cnr Shellharbour Road and Parkes Street, Port Kembla (Bushfoods garden)

Apply for a Grant

Get together with your neighbours to create a verge garden.

There are 20 x $250 Greenplan vouchers to help fund the purchase of plants from the Wollongong Botanic Garden nursery, as part of your project. Applications close 30 November 2020.

Learn more and apply for the Connecting Neighbours Grants online.

You can help create a healthier future for all by adding and looking after plants on your property, or the verge in front of your property (check out the guidelines and inspiration above).

Visit Wollongong Botanic Garden's Greenplan Nursery on sale days to buy plants and get advice on what to plant.

We're planting trees to provide for more shade across local parks and reserves.

Our current priorities are to plant trees for future shade at all playgrounds and in areas that are lacking shade.

We're inviting people aged between 12 - 24 years to enter our Trees for the Future Artwork Competition and celebrate the benefits of trees and shady streets.

See our competition page for details.

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