10,000 items planted across the Central Coast

Youth off the Streets program participants

About 3,000 trees, shrubs and grasses have been planted along Porters Creek in Wyong, completing a huge vegetation project which saw a total of 10,000 trees planted across the Central Coast.

Already, 2,450 items had gone in the ground at Gwandalan, Noraville, Jilliby, Norah Head, Long Jetty and The Entrance.

The project involved participants in the Hunter Valley -based Youth off the Streets Outreach program, together with staff from the Toukley and Lake Haven branches of Greater Bank.

It was an initiative of Greater Bank, as a way to give back to the community to celebrate 75 years of operation.

The bank announced in August 2020 that 75,000 trees would be planted across regional NSW to mark the milestone.

“This planting in Wyong has also provided a great opportunity to involve participants in Greater Charitable Foundation’s partner’s Youth off the Streets program,” said Regional Manager, Josh Swetnam.

“Their participation allowed them to positively connect with the community, build relationships and develop important life skills.

“Beyond the flora regeneration of the respective sites across regional NSW, collectively the 75,000 trees will have the capacity to absorb 1,650,000kgs of carbon dioxide each year.

“This will offset the emissions of 97 people and 600 cars per year.”

Harry Mulholland