Funded projects across the region include:

• Strengthening urban greening in Wollongong by identifying priority canopy planting opportunities and updating tree planting standards to support long-term canopy growth.
• Greening Shellharbour through data-driven canopy and urban heat mapping, identifying priority planting locations to support cooler, more climate-resilient communities.
• Enhancing Kiama’s urban forest management through a Significant Tree Register and improved tree asset data to protect canopy and support resilient green infrastructure.

This investment is part of more than $2 million in Greener Neighbourhoods grants to help 36 councils across Greater Sydney, the Illawarra-Shoalhaven, the Hunter and the Central Coast.

Research shows tree canopy cover of 30 to 40 per cent can significantly reduce urban heat and improve physical and mental health.

With grants of up to $60,000 each, councils will use the money to map their canopy, find where shade is missing and plan for more trees where they are needed most.

Funding will be used to prepare or update street tree master plans, urban forest strategies and community engagement programs. Councils will also have access to an updated Greener Neighbourhoods Guide with best practice case studies and practical tools to support long term urban greening.

The grants are part of the Minns Labor Government’s $60 million Greening our City program, funded through the NSW Climate Change Fund, to help increase urban tree canopy and biodiversity to help reduce the impacts of urban heat and climate change on communities.

These grants are the latest step in the Minns Labor Government’s work to deliver greener, cooler communities across the state.

The Minns Labor Government has opened the Greening our City program beyond Greater Sydney for the first time, delivering almost $12 million to plant around 25,000 trees across Greater Sydney, the Illawarra-Shoalhaven, the Hunter and the Central Coast.

The Minns Labor Government is also backing parks and open space for growing communities, including:

• $40 million through the Better Open Spaces Program for local parks, sports fields, swim sites and town squares in the areas with the highest housing growth,
• $110 million in the 2025-26 Budget to rebuild public spaces, and
• $300 million for open space as part of the Transport Orientated Development Accelerated Precincts.

The Minns Labor Government is protecting the trees communities already have, introducing new laws that will allow councils to seek civil penalties of up to $500,000 for individuals and $2.5 million for corporations against those who illegally clear or poison trees on public and private land, and increasing on-the-spot fines to $6,000 for individuals and $18,000 for businesses.

A list of the successful applicants can be found on the NSW Planning website.

Minister for the Illawarra and South Coast, Ryan Park said:

“As the Illawarra and South Coast continue to grow, strong urban forest planning is essential to protecting tree canopy, reducing urban heat and supporting the wellbeing of our communities.”

“The Greener Neighbourhoods program is helping our region become cooler, greener and more climate-resilient for future generations.”

Minister for Planning and Public Spaces, Paul Scully said:

“Too many of our suburbs have been left baking in the heat for too long. The Minns Labor Government is backing councils to change that.

“Trees are one of the most effective ways to cool our streets, and these grants will help councils plan for more canopy where it is needed most.

“This is about greener, cooler and more liveable neighbourhoods across the Illawarra-Shoalhaven.”