After a one-year pause, Council's popular Rural Revegetation Program is returning for eligible residents across the municipality.
The program was temporarily placed on hold due to supplier price increases and budget constraints. Council has now committed funding to deliver the program again this year, supporting one of the key strategic themes in the Council Plan - Sustainability.
Mayor Cr Brian Klowss said the return of the program would be welcomed by many residents.
"The Rural Revegetation Program has always been popular with residents, and we are pleased to be able to bring it back this year," Cr Klowss said.
"Planting native trees provides many benefits, not only for individual properties, but for the broader community and environment."
Benefits of native vegetation include providing shade, improving air quality, supporting habitat and food sources for local wildlife, and enhancing the natural beauty of rural areas.
Residents who own properties within the municipality that are 0.4 hectares (one acre) or larger are eligible to order a selection of subsidised native plants.
"At just 50 cents each, these native trees are heavily subsidised, making the program an affordable and popular option for eligible residents," Cr Klowss said.
This year, 22 species are available, ranging from shrubs that grow up to four metres tall through to larger tree varieties exceeding 10 metres in height.
While some changes have been made to the program, plant numbers remain limited and residents are encouraged to place orders early. Eligible residents can order up to 300 tube-stock plants, depending on property size.
"My recommendation to eligible ratepayers is to get in quickly and place an order," Cr Klowss said.
"After the program paused for a year, I expect demand will be very strong and plants may sell out quickly."
Council's Parks and Gardens team works closely with suppliers to source and distribute quality plants.
"Our Parks and Gardens teams work hard with suppliers to deliver good quality trees," Cr Klowss said.
"While every care is taken during delivery and handling, plant quality and availability can sometimes be impacted by supplier circumstances outside of Council's control."
Council will update the website as species sell out; however, substitutions may occasionally be necessary where certain varieties cannot be supplied.
"The team works tirelessly to provide these subsidised trees to our community," Cr Klowss said.
"If substitutions are required when collecting orders, there will be a valid reason, and we appreciate residents' understanding as staff can only work with what is supplied."
Orders close at 4pm on Friday 3 July, unless sold out earlier.
Orders can be collected from the Selkirk Drive Depot on:
- Friday 17 July, 8am to 6pm; or
- Saturday 18 July, 8am to 4pm.
Order your trees here.
