Bayside Council will look to re-establish a program designed to increase the tree canopy in the LGA.
Following a September Council meeting, Bayside will investigate reintroducing an 'Adopt A Tree' program, similar to one operated by the former Rockdale City Council.
Councillor Liz Barlow brought the idea to the virtual chamber as a means to address the area's lack of tree canopy.
The program would encourage residents to "take pride in their street and local area and to adopt and care for a street tree planted outside or in the vicinity of their home", the council papers stated.
"We've got a $100,000 grant for stree trees, and another for more trees in the parks, so we've had a significant increase in funding for our trees," Cr Barlow said.
"I've been told many times that we have the lowest tree canopy [of all LGAs in Sydney]."
Councillor Andrew Tsounis spoke in favour of the motion, and said the lack of tree canopy was a "big issue for our community".
"Back in the 1950s to today, we've had a 65 per cent trop in tree canopy," he said.
"That is a big, big change. I know there weren't that many people living in our LGA in the 50s, and a lot of trees have been taken down to put in the road systems and the properties we enjoy, bit it is a significant amount.
"We can ask our community members to be involved and plant outside or within their properties to introduce new trees. It's a fantastic initiative."
Councillor Christina Curry suggested the community could become involved through council-endorsed campaigns for locals to plant trees in recognition of special days like Mother's Day, or to honour lost loved ones.
"This could be done where council deems there's significant bulk planting required in parks where we want to up that green space," she said.
Heidi Lee Douglas, of the Peaceful Bayside action group, also spoke at the meeting in full support of the motion.
"Trees are important for reducing carbon emissions and helping us tackle climate change," she said.
"They're good for our mental health and increase the liveability of our cities.
"Street trees help slow drivers by creating a natural, visual wall which drivers are constantly aware of. Having trees along the street, you take away that sense of an open road or highway, where you can travle at high speed. It makes a psychological change that doesn't require policing resources."
Ms Douglas, and fellow Peaceful Bayside speaker Taylor Van Dijk, also recommended the council draft a Significant Tree Register to further protect flora in the region.
They have created an online survey for residents to log trees they deem significant.
