The local community will benefit from improved air quality and shade when more than 3500 new trees are planted as part of the Parramatta Light Rail project.
Transport for NSW Executive Director Anand Thomas said the newly-launched Parramatta Light Rail Tree Offset Strategy includes at least five mature figs and 76 cuttings from trees removed from the area, as well as thousands of other trees to be planted along the 12-kilometre alignment.
“As part of our commitment to planting even more trees, we’re using the latest design practices which will improve local air quality and reduce urban heat in the neighbourhoods where light rail will pass through,” Thomas said.
“The new offset strategy will help ensure that trees are planted in the right areas, are diverse and visually appealing and low in maintenance, creating a greener Parramatta that everyone can enjoy.”
Transport for NSW developed the Strategy in collaboration with the City of Parramatta, which provides key principles for the selection of species and locations for the trees along the light rail alignment and within its vicinity such as streets, local parks and reserves.
“We have a part to play in protecting and enhancing the character of our local area,” Thomas said.
“We’re working with Council to identify where trees can be planted in and around the light rail route in streets that urban heat mapping shows are some of the hottest in the area.”
The Strategy supports the delivery of the Premier’s Priority ‘Greening our City’ which aims to increase tree canopy and green cover across Greater Sydney through the planting of one million trees by 2022.
Stage 1 of the Parramatta Light Rail will connect Westmead to Carlingford via Parramatta CBD and Camellia, and is expected to open in 2023.
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