Cooling Chameleon Reserve

In 2019, Penrith City Council was one of 20 councils successful in securing a share of $5.3 million in grant funding to deliver more trees across Greater Sydney.

Penrith City Council used the grant funding to cool Chameleon Reserve, which was identified via thermal imaging in 2015 as one of the hottest locations in the suburb.

Chameleon Reserve is a 10 hectare reserve in Erskine Park, positioned within a 2 km radius of 6 schools. It had significant potential as an open space to promote healthy outdoor recreation among the local community. By increasing canopy coverage and creating a cooler reserve, Penrith City Council was able to promote outdoor recreation and better use of green space to deliver positive outcomes.

Council used the funding to plant and establish 340 new trees in the reserve. These were strategically located to provide shade and support future improvements to the park under the Chameleon Reserve Masterplan. This plan included pedestrian and cycling paths, all-ages play and exercise equipment, nature play, picnic areas and an off-leash area for dogs. Chameleon Reserve also provided a significant stormwater basin function.

The tree planting helped enhance the reserve for locals and made it an even more attractive open space. Further development of Chameleon Reserve was expected to promote healthy outdoor activities while enhancing and preserving the space, providing the community with connections to nature.

We know how important it is to provide cool spaces for our residents to be active and healthy.

Stage 1 of the planting at Chameleon Reserve will see more canopy provided in the reserve to enable and encourage immediate use of the park for passive recreation in advance of future upgrades.

Karen McKeown OAM, Mayor of Penrith 2020–22

• A diverse tree selection was developed to support biodiversity and provide long-term canopy coverage.
• Deciduous species were used to ensure winter sun still entered neighbouring backyards and wetland species were selected for the areas that hold moisture in the stormwater basin sections of the park.
• The species were also selected based on suitability to the local climate and soil conditions to maximise success rates and long-term outcomes for the community.
• Trees selected for the Chameleon Reserve were in sizes 45 L, 75 L and 100 L, averaging mostly 75 L in size.
• The trees planted in this site were mostly natives, including Angophora, Corymbia, eucalyptus, wilga and Melaleuca.
• Some non-native selections including Chinese pistachio and Chinese elm were also used in specific locations.

• Penrith City Council ensured a successful 18-month tree establishment period as part of the grant conditions. This was an important component of the grant program, as the first 18 months are critical to the ongoing life of trees.
• Council attended to the new trees by regularly watering, weeding and adding additional mulch and fertiliser as required.
• Regular check-ups included reviewing tree health and checking for pests and diseases to address appropriately.
• The planting program resulted in a 98% tree survival rate. As trees matured, locals began to enjoy the cooling effects of the canopy.