Mackay urban greening news

The beautiful Woodlands Reserve in Andergrove will be the focus of this year’s National Tree Day in Mackay.

Council is calling on volunteers to lend a hand at this year’s event, which will be held on Sunday, July 31, from 8.30am to 12.30pm at Ficus Crescent, Andergrove.

This site has strong community interest, and the tree planting event will help to enhance the natural areas of reserve and will complement the upcoming Woodlands District Park project.

Council is aiming to plant up to 1300 plants at National Tree Day.

Come down and get your hands dirty for a good cause by registering as a volunteer for National Tree Day.

Please wear sunscreen, a hat, sunglasses and bring a water bottle. If you have your own gloves and gardening equipment, please bring them along. A free barbecue will be provided to everyone who participates in this event.

Registrations close at 5pm on Thursday, July 28.

School’s Tree Day will be held at a different location this year. Students will be revegetating the area beside the 2021 School’s Tree Day site on the Bluewater Trail, east of the Ron Camm Bridge.

School’s Tree Day will be held on Friday, July 29, and council is aiming to plant 700 plants as part of this event.

National Tree Day and School’s Tree Day in Mackay is supported by Mackay Regional Council and Mackay Toyota.

Click here to register for National Tree Day.

Stay up-to-date on all the latest urban greening events and initiatives by subscribing to council’s urban greening eNewsletter by clicking here.

For more information on plans for Woodlands District Park click here.

Above: Mayor Greg Williamson with volunteers from Swayneville State School at the 2021 School's Tree Day event in Mackay.

Our Free Native Plant Program is running on Friday, April 1, from 9am to 3pm and Saturday, April 2, from 9am to noon at the Mackay Natural Environment Centre (MNEC), located at 6 Swayne Street, North Mackay.

If you are a ratepayer you can collect four free plants each calendar year. Simply bring your latest rates notice along and choose four plants from our range. Additional plants can be purchased for $2.80 each (eftpos only).

Local native plants are not only beautiful but they thrive in our climate and require less water than other non-native species.

Pioneer Catchment & Landcare Group Inc. will also be running nature craft and nature hunt activities each day.

Council's Mackay Natural Environment Centre has given away more than 19,700 plants to ratepayers, schools and community groups over the last year as part of the Free Native Plant Program.

And, with more than 100 volunteers already registered to take part in next Sunday’s National Tree Day in Mackay, there are obviously more than a few green thumbs in our region.

To help guide council’s approach towards future greening initiatives, an urban greening survey has also kicked off today and is now open for comment.

The survey is seeking feedback from the community on a planned approach towards enhancing and protecting greenery in our region’s urban areas, which would include planting more trees on local streets and in public spaces.

Mayor Greg Williamson said council believed that creating greener neighbourhoods was an important priority for the region but wanted to ensure this view aligned with those of residents.

“Trees and other vegetation play a significant role in the community and provide a number of economic, social and environmental benefits,” he said.

“Greener neighbourhoods are cooler in summer, more attractive places to walk and cycle, they deliver a daily dose of nature closest to where we live, work and play, and offer many other benefits when carefully planned and managed.

“Council has a vision to become the best region in Australia for liveability and livelihood and we believe a planned approach towards urban greening could play a key role in supporting this vision.

“We would love residents to let us know where they want to see more greenery planted, what type of vegetation they would like to see more of, as well as sharing any other thoughts and suggestions on this subject.”

View the Mackay region urban greening area map and share your feedback by visiting connectingmackay.com.au/urban-greening and filling out the survey by Wednesday, September 1.

Residents can also request a hard copy survey by contacting council’s Community Engagement team on 1300 MACKAY (622 529) or emailing engagement@mackay.qld.gov.au.