Suitable trees under powerlines are a good idea

I feel it is owed to the community to respond to the letter (Forum 17 Feb 2020) entitled "Peninsula has 1000 water bores".

On the matter of trees under powerlines, I direct anyone in the community to seek out expert recommendations now informing the best practices of government planners.

Suitable trees under powerlines certainly are a good idea and we are now seeing a huge surge in urban street planting throughout many council areas nationally and internationally.

Indeed, the NSW government is developing Green Grid plans across key local government areas as we speak and Central Coast Council is becoming leaders in this work.

Recent thermal studies have revealed that the Peninsula is suffering from the Urban Heat Island Effect due to the lack of canopy shading our hot roads, footpaths and driveways.

There are many safe and suitable small tree species that work well under powerlines.

Smart councils who care about the health and liveability of their residents invest in the planting and maintenance of trees.

This is certainly not a "waste of money". It is a crucial social investment.

Our group, Grow Urban Shade Trees, is accessing the very latest in Urban Landscape knowledge to ensure that the most appropriate trees are chosen for our verges.

I urge readers to google "Street Tree Masterplan Sydney" and avail themselves of this information.

Email, 5 Mar 2020

Jennifer Wilder, Umina