SUTHERLAND Shire loses about 4500 trees every year, so to maintain its shire's leafy character, Sutherland Shire Council encourages residents, schools and businesses to plant trees and shrubs under its Greenstreets program.
Since the program started in 2012, 767 trees and shrubs have been planted, most of them along major arterial roads or in public spaces.
Another 1500 trees will be planted during this autumn and winter.
As part of this year's program, students from St Patricks Primary School planted eight new trees and 25 shrubs along the perimeter of the school with the assistance of Greenstreets staff.
Sutherland Shire mayor, Steve Simpson, said that since the Greenstreets program started the survival rate of street trees had increased from 50 to 92 per cent.
The Greenstreets program is entirely funded by revenue raised from environmental offences such as illegal tree removal, and sponsorship from local businesses.
"We are ensuring the streets are more attractive, provide shelter for native wildlife, contribute to a healthy environment and make the streets cooler in summer," Cr Simpson said.
"There are numerous ways community members can be involved in the program. These include watering street trees and plants, keeping grass, mowers and trimmers away from the trunks and reporting dead or vandalised trees."
Details: sscgreenstreets@ssc.nsw.gov.au or 9710 0856.
