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For the love of trees! Tweed residents are invited to submit a photo of their favourite tree or streetscape in the Tweed to promote the benefits of trees as part of Council’s Cool Towns Urban Forest Program.
The Cool Towns Urban Forest Program aims to plant more trees in the Tweed to provide increased shade and cooling in settings where concrete, bitumen and built structures absorb and reflect heat.
As part of the initiative, Tweed residents are invited to take a photo of their favourite tree in an urban area of the Tweed Shire and upload it to Council’s community engagement platform, Your Say Tweed, before Sunday 26 November. All entries will have a chance to win a prize pack including a voucher for native trees, high-quality compost and a gardening supplies pack (two prizes to be won).
Once entries close, the community will be asked to vote for their favourite tree and favourite streetscape from the selection of photos submitted.
Mayor of Tweed Shire Chris Cherry said greening the Shire is one way Council is working to make a positive impact in our community.
“Research shows that trees in urban areas provide economic, environmental, public health and social benefits,” Cr Cherry said.
“The Cool Towns goal is to increase the amount and quality of tree canopy within urban areas of the Tweed. This includes natural shade for parks, playgrounds and open spaces and trees along streets and shared paths that currently have minimal tree coverage.
“We are hoping the community will get behind this initiative and partner with us to share in the beauty of the trees we have in the Tweed while bringing awareness to the benefits of trees in the places we live, work and play.”
Community members are asked to share why they love their favourite tree or streetscape, providing information about the location, features and activities they associate with the tree.
Trees in urban areas bring a multitude of benefits to the community, the environment and the economy and have been shown to:
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reduce the demand for heating and cooling by as much as 15%
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increase property values between 5 to 30%
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promote walking, cycling and outdoor activities
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reduce heat-related illnesses.
This project is one way Council is working to protect the Tweed’s internationally significant environment for a sustainable future.
Submit your photos by midnight Sunday 26 November 2023 online at yoursaytweed.com.au/cool-towns. Voting for the best tree and streetscape photo will open on Monday 27 November. See the website for competition terms and conditions.
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