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A tree planting project undertaken by Blacktown City Council and the NSW Government has enhanced a green corridor stretch of the 65 kilometre Great West Walk -  one of Sydney’s longest walking routes.

People on the Great West Walk, which runs through Blacktown City to the Blue Mountains, can now enjoy more shade and native flora and fauna following work on a popular stretch.

Council has planted 238 additional eucalyptus trees along a section of the Breakfast Creek corridor between Quakers Hill Parkway and Falmouth Road.

Blacktown City Mayor Brad Bunting said people loved the leafy improvements to the Breakfast Creek corridor.

Mayor Bunting noted “wandering through this corridor and taking in the sights and sounds of Blacktown City is one of the many delights of the Great West Walk.

“I’m delighted people can now do that and enjoy a cooler and more enjoyable experience.”

In addition to keeping walkers cool, the increased tree canopy will improve biodiversity and habitat.

In a later stage, more trees will be planted along the corridor from Falmouth Road to Breakfast Road.

This will provide walkers with a continuous corridor of canopy stretching from Quakers Hill Parkway to Breakfast Road.

NSW Minister for Planning and Public Spaces Paul Scully said Council was playing a vital role by increasing local tree canopy to provide much-needed shade which will reduce urban heat.

“This funding will help support important work being done around Blacktown to improve the environment as well making the area more beautiful for locals and visitors to enjoy,” Minister Scully added.

“I am pleased that Blacktown Council has received $775,000 as part of the Greening the Great West Walk program to support their local environmental efforts.”

Highlights of the Great West Walk in Blacktown City include Blacktown Showground, Nurragingy Reserve and Rooty Hill Historic Site.

Mayor Bunting said the ‘Greening the Great West Walk’ grant supported Council’s efforts to cool the city and continued “providing more tree canopy cover is just one of the ways Council is limiting the effects of extreme temperatures on the community.”

Council and Western Sydney University are conducting the first urban heat monitoring study across Blacktown City to better inform work to mitigate extreme temperatures.

Council is also reviewing its Development Control Plan to ensure builders use materials that reduce heat, and is working with the Western Sydney Regional Organisation of Councils and the Greater Sydney Heat Taskforce to identify new ways to limit heat impact.

For more information on the Greening the Great West Walk program 

Image: Cr Kushpinder Kaur, Cr Julie Griffiths and Mayor Brad Bunting at Breakfast Creek Quakers Hill. Credit: Blacktown City Council

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