Townsville City Council has been supporting Planet Ark's National Tree Day for the last nine years. National Tree Day is about promoting biodiversity and encouraging communities throughout Australia to plant trees that are native to their local areas.

A special tree presentation with Delfin Lend Lease was held at the TCC Admin Building forecourt for Schools National Tree Day on Friday 27 July 2007. Around 2500 local native trees and planting materials were handed to participating schools. [ more ] [ Photos of the Launch ]

This year, there was four community planting sites where around 1500 local native shrubs and trees were planted and a further 300 plants were given away for volunteers to plant at home. [ more ]

1. MacArthur Drive Park - Annandale
   [ Photos ] [ Invitation ]
   

2. Dalrymple Road Amenity and Revegetation Stage 3 (Community Environment Fund Project site) [ more ] [ Photos ] [ Invitation ]
   
   
3. Stuart Creek (near Southwood Road - Stuart)

All plantings were supported by the Greening Townsville Program. The Dalrymple Road site was the main hub of activities as it hosted a combined celebration for National Tree Day and the official launch of the Dalrymple Road Revegetation and Amenity Plantings Project Stage 2 funded through the Community Environment Fund (CEF).

About National Tree Day

National Tree Day is organised nationally by Planet Ark in association with Toyota and AMP Foundation. National Tree Day is about promoting biodiversity and encouraging communities throughout Australia to plant trees that are native to their local areas.

Townsville City Council have been organising National Tree Day at the local level since 1999. The event drew widespread support from local communities and schools as well as support from local businesses and, social and/or community groups and clubs.

Each year, Townsville City Council organises community plantings to celebrate National Tree Day. These plantings are undertaken in conjuction with local sponsors and supported by Council's Greening Townsville Program.

Schools National Tree Day - Friday 27 July 2007

[ Photos of the Launch ]

Delfin Lend Lease again agreed to sponsor the Schools National Tree Day for the eighth year running. They will contributed $2,000 towards the purchase of local native tree seedlings and some advanced shade trees for schools. Council also provided mulch, fertiliser start bag, information package as well as provided assistance with site preparation.

A letter from the Deputy Mayor Cr. Jenny Hill has gone out inviting schools to participate in this event. Council together with Delfin Lend Lease presented to each of the participating schools some local native plants, bamboo stakes, fertiliser and information kits on Friday 27th July in a presentation ceremony held at the Townsville City Council's forecourt.

Mike Carney Toyota also supported National Tree Day activities and through them, the North Queensland Cowboys (Adopt A Cowboy program) were approached for their support and involvement for Schools National Tree Day.

National Tree Day is a strategic event to get the community to come together and plant trees that are native to Townsville as well as provide tangible contribution towards enhancing Townsville's natural environment.

Two community tree planting sites were selected for 2007. The community plantings were supported by Greening Townsville - Community Greening program.
The sites are:

1. MacArthur Drive Park Community Planting - Annandale.

[ Photos of the Planting ] [ Invitation ]

This community planting continued a previous planting undertaken in the area in April 2007. The planting used local native trees, shrubs and ground covers to provide amenity, habitat and also to rehabilitate and revegetate a drainage line, which was recently upgraded adjacent to the parkland. The planting was held from 9am to 12 noon.

2. Dalrymple Road (cnr of Nathan Street/opposite Bunnings Warehouse)

[ Photos of the Planting ] [ Invitation ]

The Dalrymple Road site was the main focus of activities for the National Tree Day celebration. A major community tree planting was held on Sunday 29th July 2007 from 9am - 12 noon. Around 1000 local native trees, shrubs and ground covers were planted as well as a further 200 tube stocks were available for volunteers to take home and plant.

The National Tree Day event marks Stage 3 of the Dalrymple Road Revegetation and Amenity Plantings Project, which is funded through Community Environment Fund (CEF). CEF is a partnership program by Powerlink Queensland, Townsville City Council and Thuringowa City Council. The fund grants funding to successfull environmental projects in Townsville and Thuringowa.

The National Tree Day plating was one of three community planting for this site and it aims to soften the impact of the major powerlines infrastructure along this section of Dalrymple road as well as providing amenity and green refuge for urban wildlife.

Toyota is a major sponsor of National Tree Day nationally and locally Mike Carney Toyota supported the Townsville's main event through in-kind contribution and sponsorship.

The Northern Suburbs Lions Club prepared a sausage sizzle for all volunteers on the day. Further support from other local businesses and the local community groups was organised for this event.

3. A community planting has also be organised for Stuart Creek (near Southwood Road - Stuart).

This planting was organised by Conservation Volunteers Australia with local sponsors and scout groups. Council also supported this planting. The planting aimed to revegetate areas along the banks of the creek, which were recently cleared from weeds. The Planting was held from 9am - 1pm. Contact Richard Pepper - Conservation Volunteers Australia on 4721 4077 for other CVA events.

Contact Integrated Sustainability Services 47279520 for additional details.

Toyota's new model fuel-efficient cars can produce up to 66% less greenhouse gas emissions than older inefficient models. The Toyota Prius has a Super Ultra Low Emission Vehicle (SULEV) status. There's only zero emissions below this classification.

Planting trees to absorb carbon dioxide emissions is an internationally recognized procedure for reducing the level of greenhouse gas emissions. According to Mr Ken Asano, educating and motivating individuals and organizations to plant carbon-absorbing trees is another positive way Toyota can help the Australian and global environment.

Toyota Prius - Petrol/Electric Hybrid