A ceremonial tree has been planted in Camden to mark the completion of the NSW Government’s plan to plant one million trees by the end of 2022.
Minister for Planning and Minister for Homes Anthony Roberts planted the millionth tree on Saturday, alongside Camden Mayor Therese Fedeli during a community planting day at Elizabeth Macarthur Reserve.
“This is the culmination of more than three years of hard work to meet the government’s priority to plant one million new trees by 2022 across Greater Sydney, with countless people taking up the one million tree challenge alongside us,” Roberts said.
“To meet the goal almost two months early is a testament to the mammoth planting efforts of the community, local government, and organisations like Landcare NSW, and Greening Australia, who got on with the job despite weather and pandemic challenges.”
Over 200,000 of the trees were planted and registered by the community. Many of those came from the Government’s Tree Giveaway, which saw over 77,000 trees given away to green-thumbed Greater Sydney residents.
Roberts hopes that the achievements help spur on further planting efforts to continue making Greater Sydney greener and more resilient.
“Together we have created – and continue to create – greener, safer and cooler urban environments with world-class green spaces for everyone to enjoy,” he said.
“Now our focus turns to our long-term target of increasing tree canopy and green cover in Greater Sydney to 40 per cent by 2036.”