Parramatta Light Rail tree planting

2023 interactive map

Trees play an important role in the ‘greening’ of our City. We know that a greener city means a cooler city, a cleaner environment and a happier and healthier community. 

In 2019, City of Parramatta in partnership with Transport for NSW (TfNSW), completed a pilot tree planting program which saw 120 new trees added to our urban tree canopy in North Parramatta and Westmead. 

Council worked with TfNSW to identify locations where the tree planting program would be able to best deliver the greatest benefit to the community.
As part of the joint program, 335 trees were planted in parks and reserves across the Parramatta area in July and October 2022. 

In 2023, the joint-partnership program will deliver an additional 1,000+ trees in City streets and parks - our biggest planting season ever! 

Starting in April 2023, new tree planting will focus on streets and parks in Carlingford, Dundas, North Parramatta, Oatlands, Rydalmere and Telopea. We’ll also be looking for Tree Champions to monitor the new trees and help them reach their full potential. 

A further 1,000 trees are planned for 2024.

What types of trees are being planted?

The April 2023 planting will see 27 different species planted. Arborists will ensure tree types are suited to the proposed planting location with trees selected to perform well in the local environment. Constraints such as overhead powerlines, underground utilities, access requirements and existing street trees have been considered. 

A variety of advanced trees including natives and exotics, evergreen and deciduous, have been chosen with the hope that these trees will contribute to our local biodiversity, be welcomed as part of the community, and provide a range of benefits now and into the future.

For details on the types of trees being planted and where, see our Parramatta Light Rail Tree Champion page.

Where will planting take place?

The project team has used a number of studies to identify the areas most vulnerable to the impacts of urban heat – those most likely to benefit from additional tree canopy – and streets with no or few trees.

Planting will take place in streets and parks across our Local Government Area with a focus on Carlingford, Dundas, North Parramatta, Oatlands, Rydalmere and Telopea.
For details on planting locations and trees selected, see the Parramatta Light Rail Tree Champions page.

Care for trees

Council will be maintaining our new trees for 12 months and is also looking for Tree Champions to help monitor the health of the trees and report if trees in their street or suburb are in need of extra care.

For details on how you can help our new trees become established and reach their full potential, see our Parramatta Light Rail Tree Champion page.

October 2022

In 2019, City of Parramatta in partnership with Transport for NSW (TfNSW), completed a pilot tree planting program (see below for details) which saw 120 new trees added to our urban tree canopy in North Parramatta and Westmead. 

Council worked with TfNSW to identify locations where the tree planting program would be able to best deliver the greatest benefit to the community.

As part of the joint program, 125 trees were planted in parks and reserves across the Parramatta area in July 2022 (see below for locations and details). 

In October 2022, a further 210 trees will be planted.
Over the next two years, the joint partnership program will deliver an additional 2,200 trees in City streets and parks. 

October 2022 Tree Planting Location Map - Click map to enlarge

Council and Transport for NSW have created a joint planting program with the aim of expanding our tree canopy and improving biodiversity. In most cases, a variety of species, native and exotic, evergreen and deciduous are planted.

The October 2022 Parramatta Light Rail Tree Planting program is concentrating on larger species, with 210 advanced trees between 1.5m and 3m high, to be planted in parks and reserves across the City.  

A number of native tree species have been selected to become part of the City of Parramatta’s urban tree canopy with consideration given to local conditions.

Locations and tree types for the October 2022 program include:

Constitution Hill 
Alice Watkins Reserve

• Eucalyptus microcorys - Tallowwood
• Ficus hillii - Hills Weeping Fig
• Jacaranda mimosifolia
• Pyrus calleryana 'Capital' - Callery Pear

Arrunga Gardens

• Eucalyptus microcorys - Tallowwood
• Ficus hillii - Hills Weeping Fig

Dundas Valley 
Fred Spurway Park

• Ficus hillii - Hills Weeping Fig

Lachlan Macquarie Park

• Ficus hillii - Hills Weeping Fig

Eastwood 
Somerville Park

• Ficus hillii - Hills Weeping Fig

Ermington 
Halvorsen Park

• Ficus hillii - Hills Weeping Fig
• Livistona australis - Cabbage Tree Palm
• Tristaniopsis laurina - 'Luscious' Watergum

North Parramatta 
Old Salesyards

• Angophora floribunda - Rough-Barked Apple
• Jacaranda mimosifolia
• Pyrus calleryana 'Capital' - Callery Pear
• Elaeocarpus reticulatus 'Prima Donna' - Blueberry Ash
• Tristaniopsis laurina - 'Luscious' Watergum

Sherwin Park

• Elaeocarpus reticulatus 'Prima Donna' - Blueberry Ash
• Eucalyptus microcorys - Tallowwood
• Pyrus calleryana 'Capital' - Callery Pear
• Tristaniopsis laurina - 'Luscious' Watergum

Parramatta 
Foreshore north

• Corymbia citriodora - Lemon-Scented Gum
• Corymbia maculate - Spotted Gum
• Ficus hillii - Hills Weeping Fig

Foreshore South

• Elaeocarpus eumundi - Smooth-Leaved Quandong
• Ficus hillii - Hills Weeping Fig
• Grevillea Moonlight
• Magnolia grandiflora - Little Gem Magnolia 

Jubilee Park

• Pyrus calleryana - Ornamental Pear
• Ulmus parvifolia - Chinese Elm or Lacebark Elm

Westmead 
O'Connell Street Reserve

• Ficus hillii - Hills Weeping Fig

In 2019, City of Parramatta in partnership with Transport for NSW (TfNSW), completed a pilot tree planting program (see below for details) which saw 120 new trees added to our urban tree canopy in North Parramatta and Westmead. 

July 2022 Tree Planting Location Map - Click map to enlarge

The program tested how we could provide new trees in key locations to help offset trees removed as part of the construction of the Parramatta Light Rail.

In 2022, the program will continue with 125 trees being planted in parks and reserves across the Parramatta area. 

Council has worked with TfNSW to identify locations where the tree planting program will be able to best deliver the greatest benefit to the community.

Planting is expected to be completed by end-July 2022. As part of this joint partnership program an additional 2,400 trees will be planted in City streets and parks over the next two years.

Phase 1 of the Parramatta Light Rail tree planting and neighbourhood improvement program now complete

City of Parramatta, in partnership with Transport for NSW (TfNSW), is pleased to announce the successful completion of the first phase of the Parramatta Light Rail Tree Planting Neighbourhood Improvement Program which saw the planting of 120 new street trees in Westmead and North Parramatta.

The program started in March 2019 testing how we provide new trees, in streets, parks and reserves throughout the City of Parramatta to help offset trees removed as part of Parramatta Light Rail construction.Trees in the nature strips include:

• Crepe myrtle
• Spotted gum
• Flowering gums
• Brush box
• Magnolias

The nature strips in:

• North Parramatta
  • Barney Street
  • By Street
  • Dunlop Street
  • Harold Street
• Westmead
  • Jessie Street
  • Caroline Street
  • Queens Road

Council will be watering and maintaining your new trees over the next two years to help them establish and grow in the right shape.

Each and every tree has a tree tag, so look out for it.

The tag includes important information about the tree type and a unique number which allows Council to identify its exact location.

If you notice any issues with the trees, simply write down the unique number call 02 9806 5050 or email plr-trees@cityofparramatta.nsw.gov.au.

We will send a horticulturalist to look at it.

If you have questions you can get in contact with our Parramatta Light Rail Tree Planting team on 02 9806 5050 or plr-trees@cityofparramatta.nsw.gov.au

Parramatta Light Rail project

If you have questions about the Parramatta Light Rail project, you can contact the 24-hour Community Information Line on 1800 139 389 or email parramattalightrail@transport.nsw.gov.au

If you have accessibility concerns, please contact the National Relay Service and provide them with the City of Parramatta contact number: 02 9806 5050.

For non-English speakers, phone interpretation services are available via TIS National on 131 450.