Staff from Hunter New England Health and City of Newcastle have banded together to create a greener Wallsend.

More than 160 staff joined forces to plant a community tiny forest as part of the Greening Wallsend initiative.

The tiny forest is the first of two covering an area of 1,185 square metres at Collier Street Park, bringing hundreds of new trees and biodiverse street gardens to the suburb.

City of Newcastle Executive Manager Environment and Sustainability Marnie Kikken said the project has received widespread support from the community.

“We started this project by involving local students on Schools Tree Day on Friday and had overwhelming support from the community on National Tree Day, with more than 250 people attending to plant trees, learn about local biodiversity and participate in a range of guided walks,” she said.

“The urban forest improves the health of residents by improving air quality and providing a buffer to heat sources, including major roads, while also supporting mental wellbeing and enhancing the liveability of the area.” 

Ms Kikken added that the Greening Wallsend project would deliver 150 new street trees and 70 new park trees at such locations as Whitegates reserve.

She said there would also be a further community planting opportunity at Neals Park, and almost 3,000 square metres of biodiverse road verge gardens next to western corridor road upgrades.

The project is supported by $400,000 from the NSW Government’s Greening our City Grants, and City of Newcastle has partnered with local not-for-profit The Groundswell Collective to plan, deliver and monitor the community tiny forests in Collier Street Park. 

Hunter New England Health’s Alana Stoeger said the new Community Tiny Forests near its Wallsend campus will have a positive impact on both residents and staff. 

“Extreme heat is a well-documented driver of poorer health outcomes, particularly for vulnerable populations,” Ms Stoeger said. 

“Increasing canopy cover will directly reduce that heat island effect and the associated risk of heat-related illness while creating green space for nature-based, culturally responsive health interventions that support physical and mental wellbeing. 

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