Blacktown City Council - Media Release - Battling The Heat With Trees

12 June 2019

Schofields and Mount Druitt are set to have more than 100

new trees lining residential streets as part of Blacktown City 

Council’s plans to reduce urban heat.

Blacktown City Council is working alongside NRMA 

Insurance as part of the Cool Streets^© program, enabling the 

planting of 113 trees.

Cool Streets^© is an initiative developed by Dr Libby 

Gallagher of Gallagher Studio that encourages local 

communities to take the lead in choosing the right trees to 

cool their neighbourhoods.

Blacktown City Mayor Stephen Bali MP said: “Urban heat is 

a major challenge for Blacktown and tree planting is one of 

the methods to reduce the impact.

“The Cool Streets initiative allows communities to be 

involved, they are given the opportunity to choose and care 

for the trees planted around their homes.

“Trees in residential streets are beneficial to the 

communities. They can reduce household air-conditioning 

costs, reduce local air pollution, help store carbon and even 

add value to house prices.”

NRMA Insurance Safer Communities Executive Manager 

Jen Cobley said: “We’re excited to be part of this Cool 

Streets^© initiative and help to tackle heat stress in Western 

Sydney.

“We know that when trees and vegetation are removed, the 

temperatures can soar and by revegetating areas we’ll be 

creating cooler streets benefiting the community and the 

environment by increasing shade and reducing 

CO² emissions.

“The NRMA Insurance Good ‘Hoods program focuses on 

how we can support local community-led initiatives that will 

help communities feel more connected, which will allow 

them to be stronger, safer and more confident.”