An estimated 4000 trees will be planted across Canberra in a bid to keep city service workers in jobs during the coronavirus crisis.
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The $3 million program will also include a makeover of the city's playgrounds and public spaces as part of the ACT government's COVID-19 stimulus package.
Ten new jobs will be created as part of a tree team based in south Canberra and will focus on a backlog of tree maintenance requests and Canberra's urban forests.
ACT City Services Minister Chris Steel said the program was designed to keep people in work during the pandemic.
"Responding to the spread of COVID-19 is one of the greatest challenges our city has ever faced," Mr Steel said.
"To do this, we need to work together with Canberrans to create job opportunities for those that need it and support local businesses through this difficult time."
The number of trees planted as part of the government's Autumn tree planting program has more than doubled this year as part of the stimulus, rising from 1500 planted last year to 4000.
The trees will be planted across 87 suburbs in Canberra that have been suggested by community members in consultations held last year.
"Suburbs with low canopy cover are our immediate focus," Mr Steel said.
"We'll be planting a combination of native, evergreen exotic and exotic deciduous trees to ensure our urban forest remains diverse and resilient."
Woden and Weston Creek will receive more than 800 trees along with Tuggeranong while Gungahlin will have almost 1500 trees planted as part of the initiative.
Belconnen will get 571 while central Canberra will have 368 new trees.
Other works included in the $3 million program will include the mulching and extra watering of trees in existing public areas such as City Hill and Ainslie Avenue.
Up to 30 playgrounds will also be refurbished with equipment being repaired and repainted and extra softfall installed.
- For information on COVID-19, please go to the ACT Health website or the federal Health Department's website.
- You can also call the Coronavirus Health Information Line on 1800 020 080
- If you have serious symptoms, such as difficulty breathing, call Triple Zero (000)
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Andrew Brown
I've been part of the Canberra Times since 2016, after reporting at local papers in Sydney's north-west. Since starting at the paper I've had stints on the Sunday Times, on the early morning breaking news round, and now as a general reporter, covering the ins and outs of anything and everything happening in Canberra, with a focus on health.
I've been part of the Canberra Times since 2016, after reporting at local papers in Sydney's north-west. Since starting at the paper I've had stints on the Sunday Times, on the early morning breaking news round, and now as a general reporter, covering the ins and outs of anything and everything happening in Canberra, with a focus on health.
