DRAFT plan proposes planting approximately 2,000 trees over ten years
Council has resolved to place the DRAFT Urban Tree Planting Masterplan on public exhibition following its Ordinary Council Meeting held on Tuesday 16 December 2025.
The Draft Masterplan will be on exhibition from Friday 19 December 2025 to Friday 30 January 2026, providing the community with an opportunity to review the plan and make a submission.
The DRAFT Urban Tree Planting Masterplan sets out a long-term strategic framework to guide tree planting across Leeton Shire over the next ten years. The plan aims to increase urban tree canopy, improve shade, enhance streetscapes and parks, support biodiversity, and strengthen resilience to hotter and drier future climate conditions.
Development of the DRAFT Masterplan was identified as a priority in Council's Liveable Leeton 2035 Community Strategic Plan. Council engaged specialist consultants 100% Renewables to prepare the plan, which includes detailed canopy mapping, climate and heat modelling, guidance on tree species selection, and analysis of future canopy growth. The DRAFT Masterplan aligns with Council's Tree Management Policy and relevant state and national climate resilience frameworks.
The DRAFT Masterplan identified that existing tree canopy across Leeton is fragmented, with particularly low coverage in the central business district and industrial areas. Climate modelling indicates that by 2050, Leeton Shire's climate is expected to be similar to Condobolin or Cobar, with a higher number of very hot days each year.
Manager Open Space & Recreation Josh Clyne said the DRAFT Urban Tree Planting Masterplan sets out a significant uplift in tree planting across the Shire.
"The DRAFT Masterplan proposes planting around 2,000 trees over the next ten years, increasing our annual planting rate from an average of 138 trees per year to about 200 trees per year, which is a 45 per cent increase," Mr Clyne said.
"This program is expected to deliver around a 50 per cent increase in total canopy cover from the 2025 baseline, with modelling showing a cooling benefit of approximately 1.2 degrees Celsius on warm to hot days."
Mayor Cr George Weston said the exhibition period is an important opportunity for the community to have their say.
"Trees play a critical role in making our Shire more comfortable, attractive and resilient to future climate conditions," Cr Weston said.
"This DRAFT Masterplan provides a clear and evidence-based approach to where and how we plant trees, and I encourage residents to review the document and provide feedback during the exhibition period."
View the DRAFT Urban Tree Planting Masterplan on Council's website at www.leeton.nsw.gov.au or on Council's 'Have Your Say' online engagement portal at haveyoursay.leeton.nsw.gov.au.
Hard copies are available for viewing by the public at the Leeton Shire Council Administration Office, Leeton Shire Library, Yanco Shop, and Murrami & Whitton Post Offices.
The community is encouraged to provide feedback to Council on the DRAFT document in any of the following ways:
ELECTRONICALLY (Preferred): Complete the survey on Council's 'Have Your Say' online engagement portal at haveyoursay.leeton.nsw.gov.au.
BY EMAIL TO: [email protected]
BY LETTER TO: The General Manager, 23-25 Chelmsford Place, Leeton NSW 2705.
Submissions must be received by Council by 5pm on Friday, 30 January 2026.
