October 23, 2009

Mass plantings of over 630 native trees in two Tamworth suburban spots will leave a lasting mark on the city from the state Local Government Association conference which starts tomorrow (Sat).

The creation of two urban forests is a grand green move to actually neutralise the impact of 636 visitors to the city for the association’s annual event.

So, while leaving a lasting memorial to the conference in Tamworth the plantings will also offset the carbon footprint of all those who attend.

The urban forest was the idea of event coordinators Tamworth Regional Council and Tourism Tamworth to go hand in hand with the LGA’s commitment to event sustainability and value adds to the LGA go-green event philosophy.

President of the LGA Councillor Genia McCaffer says the tree planting will set a positive precedent for the future.
‘The tree planting shows our strong commitment to protecting and conserving our environment, and I encourage other councils to get involved,” Cr McCaffery said.

TRC administration manager Rob Charlesworth says two small sections of urban forest and new habitats for native birds and small animals will be created in Locks Lane along the CBD levee and in the median strip along Goonan St in Taminda.

“The plantings are a direct offset program for the mitigation of some of the carbon emissions created by the conference,” Mr Charlesworth said.

“All three partners have endeavoured to make environmentally, socially and economically responsible decisions to reduce local and global negative impacts when organising, managing and designing this conference.”

The shrubs and trees include River Red Gum, Mugga Ironbark, White Box, Yellow Box, River She Oak, Acacia, Callistemon, Melaleuca, Hardenbergia, Myoporum, Lomandra and rush species. Most have been propagated locally from seed and are native to the local area.

The Locks Lane area was a perfect place for about three-quarters of the plants – as part of the city’s flood mitigation strategy over the past 30 years the Peel River levee banks have been built and that area is being developed as a recreational spot with walkways and cycleways linking south Tamworth to the city. The reclaimed areas will become parklands.

The event partners say the main green aims of the conference are reducing the consumption of natural resources, avoiding damage to the local and global environment, protecting biodiversity and human health and reducing waste to a minimum.

Delegates will get to tour the new green areas while they’re here and have the chance to get their hands dirty by planting their own specimen. An official tree planting will be performed by the Minister for Local Government, the Hon Barbara Perry, Cs McCaffery and mayor James Treloar on Sunday to christen the project.