An innovative and beautiful approach to soil management is creating a buzz in Penrith thanks to its ability to breathe new life into the soil and help trees to survive and thrive.
Minister for Western Sydney and Member for Penrith Stuart Ayres said a temporary wildflower meadow at Grey Gums Oval, Cranebrook is being planted to transform the inferior clay soil and allow the planting of 78 new trees.
“The temporary wildflower installation is a creative way to prime the earth and overcome challenges to tree planting, creating an area that will be an asset for the community, now and in the future,” Mr Ayres said.
“Once planted the 78 new trees will boost canopy cover and bring down temperatures along the walk, while providing local habitat to native wildlife.”
Following the summer bloom, the impressive bee shaped meadow will be cultivated back into the earth helping to transform the harsh clay soil into a healthy soil to allow the new trees to grow and thrive.
Minister for Planning and Public Spaces Rob Stokes said the ‘Let it Bee’ project, named after the bee shape of the meadow, was the second project delivered by Penrith Council with funding from the NSW Government’s $1 million Greening the Great West Walk initiative.
“This is an exciting initiative that will not only lead to healthy soil but will also provide the public with a beautiful meadow to visit and enjoy over summer,” Mr Stokes said.
“We are always encouraging and supporting councils to take on sustainable practices and innovative tree planting across Greater Sydney, it’s exciting to see Penrith City Council leading the way with this un-bee-lievable and ground-breaking project.”
More than 26,000 new trees will be planted by the NSW Government as part of the Greening the Great West Walk program under agreements with Penrith, Blacktown and Parramatta Councils and partnerships with Landcare NSW and Greening Australia.
The wildflower meadow is open to the public until autumn 2022 and supports the Government’s priority of increasing tree canopy and green cover across Greater Sydney by planting one million trees by 2022.
The project coincides with Sydney hosting the World Urban Parks Congress this week – the largest international gathering of park and recreation professionals committed to creating a greener future.
For more information visit: www.dpie.nsw.gov.au/great-west-walk
