Providing a cooler region for residents involves more than just planting trees.
That's the general message of Western Sydney Regional Organisation of Councils [WSROC] following yesterday's Greening Our City program announcement by Premier Gladys Berejiklian.
The $10 million plan will see more than 40,000 trees planted across the western Sydney region and the implementation of a number of innovative projects via grants to 30 councils and two partner organisations.
The funding will be provided under two streams: Cooler Suburbs and Green Innovations.
Premier Berejiklian said that the program would help reach her target of one million trees planted across greater Sydney by 2022, increasing the proportion of homes in urban areas within 10 minutes walk of quality green, open and public space by 10 per cent by 2023.
Hawkesbury Council will host one of the 12 green innovation projects.
It will see the creation of a new state-of-the-art research facility and a site testing the growth and performance of 48 diverse native and exotic species.
Planning and Public Spaces Minister Rob Stokes said that planting more trees would bring enormous environmental benefits, while making public spaces more attractive.
"Our city is framed by parks - we know how valuable tree cover is for lowering heat, providing shade and enhancing our neighbourhoods," he said.
"This program will see trees planted in more developed areas like Miranda and Parramatta and in growing areas like Camden, Blacktown, Campbelltown and Hawkesbury."
While endorsing the government's "more comprehensive approach to urban greening", WSROC president and Hawkesbury Councillor Barry Calvert said that rising heat levels in western Sydney required extra consideration.
Councillor Calvert said he favoured cooling strategies that incorporated current research, including healthy urban forests.
"Investing in urban canopy that will help cool our suburbs in a changing climate is critical for heath and liveability - most particularly in western Sydney," he said.
"As Minister Stokes said, we need to start selecting the right species for any effective tree-planting program. However, even the right kind of trees need time to grow and become established. We also encourage the government to look beyond greening for cooling effects.
"Research shows that effective cooling requires an holistic approach to better urban design, which combines greening, better material choices and retaining water in the landscape."
Cr Calvert said that while trees and other urban design initiatives were important in reducing the urban heat island effect, they had limited impact for people during extreme heat events.
"When temperatures soar over 40 degrees we need to make sure that people can be safe indoors," he said.
"Prioritising robust energy supply and reducing peak demand through renewables and battery storage as well as better home and building design, are absolutely critical to getting this right.
"As we continue to work together in addressing increasing heat in western Sydney, WSROC would welcome a partnership with the NSW Government, to develop and implement programs that support our most vulnerable communities during extreme heat events."
