Curbside flower beds gain ground
Green thumbs will soon take to the streets with their trowels, seeds and bulbs to liven up the city’s footpaths.
The City of Sydney has introduced a new gardening initiative that aims to protect local habitats, improve air quality and filter storm water run-off.
Lord Mayor Clover Moore MP said: “We know that trees and other plantings help absorb carbon pollution and help cool our city.”
The Footpath Gardening Policy has been developed to allow residents and businesses to place a planter box on a public footpath, or establish a garden on a verge or nature strip without a development application.
Community members are encouraged to get involved by establishing programs that support volunteers, junior rangers and LandCare groups.
The policy was exhibited for public comment in December where a total of 58 issues were highlighted. Residents voiced concern about ongoing maintenance, the safe use of pesticides and safe travel for blind and low-vision pedestrians.
Planter boxes must be placed on the curbside of the footpath to ensure an unobstructed path alongside buildings.
Those who install planter boxes or gardens are responsible for their upkeep.
Council staff will monitor the footpaths, address complaints and offer solutions in the cases of non-compliance.
A recommendation to Council to allocate $50,000 for seeds and plant boxes has been adopted to help residents kickstart green ideas in the first six months.
University of Technology urban ecologist, Dr Jane Tarran, said increasing urbanisation had meant a steady decline in contact with nature and a loss of connecting with birds and wildlife.
‘Nature and urban forest are critical to human wellbeing,” Dr Tarran said.
“They have a restorative power which has profound effects on human behaviour and functioning, providing recovery from mental fatigue and information overload.”
by Lynn Chinnock
