Urban greening is critical to building a city’s resilience. Increased tree canopy and diverse plants help to reduce urban heat, improve air and soil quality, and keep communities and local wildlife healthy.

The Greening our City program is an urban greening program that mitigates the impacts of urban heat and climate change by increasing tree canopy and urban biodiversity. The program delivers grants, engages in partnerships, builds council capacity, and invests in data to promote urban greening outcomes. The program supports all communities identified under the Government’s recent housing reforms, including low and mid-rise housing areas.

Program expansion

The Greening our City program now includes 10 more councils from the Hunter-Central Coast and Illawarra-Shoalhaven regions. These councils can now apply for future funding and support, along with the 33 councils in Greater Sydney.

The newly eligible councils include Central Coast, Cessnock, Kiama, Lake Macquarie, Maitland, Newcastle, Port Stephens, Shellharbour, Shoalhaven and Wollongong.

Greening our City program grants

Urban greening grant programs support councils to enhance urban tree canopy and green cover in our parks, streets and neighbourhoods. More trees mean more shade, cooler suburbs and attractive places to live and work for our communities.

About Greening our City program grants
Trees and house surroundings at Pocket Park, Petersham St, Leichhardt.

Urban heat and canopy data in your council area

Local council snapshots are available to provide information on urban heat levels, tree canopy cover and housing targets that apply to your local government area. Urban heat and canopy data are currently only available for Greater Sydney council areas. Visit Greener Neighbourhoods to find your council’s snapshot.

Visit Greener Neighbourhoods
Flowering ussurian pear against the blue sky. No image credit.

Building Advocacy for Street Trees – Explainer video

The Building Advocacy for Street Trees (PDF 12.4 MB) guide was commissioned by the Department and produced by The Behavioural Architects to support councils to encourage street tree planting and protection. The guide and explainer video offer practical tools and strategies for councils across NSW to engage communities and address barriers.

More information

For enquiries or more information email [email protected]