City parks and streets have received in excess of 50,000 trees, and the tree-planting activities – which grew recently with the planting at Evandale of a weeping lily pilly – have been highlighted in an Urban Tree Canopy Study report of 2020, which revealed an increase in the maturity and extent of tree cover in the area during the past decade.
Mayor of the Gold Coast Tom Tate said the feat was fantastic in what is one of the country's fastest growing cities, and he added:
“Healthy tree canopy is important for the long-term benefit of residents, visitors and our precious flora and fauna.”
Tate said that while there are a number of challenges still ahead, the council was committed and focused on increasing the overall canopy of green trees wherever possible.
The city's Urban Footprint was the key focus of the study, and this covered land and urban areas that had urban development potential. About a third of these were residential areas, where people live, cycle and walk. Brochure printing campaigns have frequently highlighted the need for more trees to help reduce the effect of urban warming.
The mayor said that, in addition, further landscaping would support liveable and healthy neighbourhoods, together with increased tree-shaded areas.