We are happy to announce that tomorrow 18th September Jennifer, Debbie, Lesley, Carey and myself (Mel) will be meeting the Mayor of the Central Coast Council, Jane Smith to formally present your signatures for this crucial petition.

Since we started this petition we have watched other councils across NSW set realistic canopy targets to increase their tree numbers, and put into motion action plans to achieve those goals.

But not Central Coast Council.

Before, amalgamation was the excuse. Now it's that following amalgamation council employees are stretched and can't take on more, that the budget just doesn't stretch to trees because they are not a 'priority', or (most amazingly) that people on the Central Coast "just don't want trees".

We are sick of the delays and excuses and we know you are, too.

Yes, we've heard whispers that an Urban Forest Strategy is "being discussed", but it's not been approved in a Council meeting, and there are ZERO street trees being planted across the Central Coast while trees continue to be felled in suburban backyards without any robust processes to improve tree retention and replacement.

Our meeting with Jane Smith will aim to reinforce what we and all our wonderful supporters already know: that money invested in trees sends ripples down to improving every facet of residents' lives. Property values, mental and physical health, electricity costs, tourism, drainage....the list goes on and on. That's without mentioning the benefits for our wildlife and natural ecosystem.

How is it that Central Coast Council still has its head in the sand? If we find out, we will let you know!