Shoalhaven City Councillors will tonight discuss a notice of motion to axe a funding scheme that has allowed schools to plant trees on National Tree Day.
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Greens councillors will not be backing the motion, and have instead proposed an alternative motion that involves keeping the scheme, and, if schools do not access funds, keeping funds accessible for a similar purpose the next year.
The tree policy provides $200 to each school interested in participating, and costs council between $3000-4000 each year.
“They want to get rid of the tree policy,” Cr Kaye Gartner said.
“They are saying schools aren’t interested, I don’t believe that’s the case.
“Schools may not know about this funding.”
There are 13 schools in the Shoalhaven registered in the NSW government’s Sustainable Schools program, designed to educate children about nature.
“Our community recognises the importance of tree planting to create significant shade and cool spots in an ever warming climate,” Cr Gartner said.
“It’s pretty unfair to take this policy away.”
School tree planting is not restricted to projects on school grounds.
Recent school tree planting initiatives in Berry have beautified the nature strip near the Berry Bypass.
Council’s motion states council, through the Assets and Works Group’s operational budget, will still support community tree planting activities.
