Tree Incentive Program: Residents snap up vouchers to help plant a tree

We’re thrilled to share that more than 100 tree vouchers have been claimed in under a week, exhausting all available supply — a fantastic response that shows just how committed our community is to growing a greener future!

As many know, trees play a crucial role in our community by delivering social, environmental and economic benefits.

They produce oxygen, store carbon, stabilise soil and provide essential habitat for wildlife.

Trees also cool and shade our homes and buildings, helping reduce energy bills and increase property values — all while helping us adapt to the growing impacts of climate change.

To support tree canopy growth on private land, Council offered property owners within the City an $80 voucher to assist with the cost of planting an established tree.

This incentive was designed to make it easier for residents to enhance their properties while contributing to a healthier, more climate-resilient community.

Why private land? LiDAR technology shows that the most significant opportunity to expand tree canopy in our City lies on privately owned land, which makes up 69% of the Council area.

Backyards, gardens and landscaped areas on private property are vital to achieving the City’s long-term canopy targets.

In addition to our commitment to planting 500 new trees on Council-owned land this year, we’re proud to partner with our community to increase canopy cover throughout the City.

Small actions, taken together, can make a big impact.

The popularity and strong uptake highlights how valued this initiative is by residents and why it is again included in the proposed initiatives outlined with the Council’s draft 2025–2026 Annual Business Plan & Budget, now open for community consultation.

Other key environmental sustainability initiatives proposed for 2025–2026 include development of a tree inventory system so the Council can more accurately audit and track its street tree assets, native plant giveaways, and a Verge Greening Incentive Fund to support residents to beautify and green the verge outside their home.

You can read more and have your say on the draft 2025–2026 Annual Business Plan & Budget here: Have your say!