Indigo shire residents to adopt drought-stricken street trees?

With ground conditions more like mid-summer than spring in Victoria, I look at beautiful trees in public parks and on public land and cannot imagine them all dying…Indigo Shire Council in Victoria’s northeast has a really practical suggestion for its residents.

It’s calling on them to adopt trees on nature strips adjacent or adjoining their property and to water and mulch them whenever they tend to their own gardens.

About the hundreds of street trees that have been planted on public land over the past ten years Mayor Peter Graham says:

“These trees improve the ambiance and image of the local streetscapes. They create a sense of place and provide a distinctive character to an area and unfortunately, many of these trees will be at risk as we enter this second year of drought.

Whilst Council’s outdoors teams monitor our many street plantings, given the drier than average winter and looming prospect of severe water restrictions over another long, hot and dry summer, we’re seeking the public’s assistance in caring for any trees in front of their property.

Council will try its hardest to keep all our street trees alive and we’ll continue with our tree maintenance schedule, but that little extra bit of help from residents may be what it takes to make all the difference over the coming summer months.”

It’s a lovely image, residents saving their street trees, but surely the question is a finite one about the quantity of water available?

What about rebates for the installation of rainwater tanks?

A Google search for rebates on rainwater tanks brought up ONLY the NSW rainwater tank rebate system for people installing – and paying for – tanks with a minimum capacity of 2000 litres between 1 July 2007 and 30 June 2009.

A closer look brought up Rain Harvesting with links to info about rebates in NSW, Queensland and Victoria BUT I must say I was disappointed that programs I’m sure of heard of are not readily available through a simple Google search. NSW is ‘getting its info out there’…what about the other states?

FYI in NSW:

Installing a 2000 litre tank will get you:
$150 – rebate
$500 – for connection to toilet
$500 – for connection to washing machine
$1150 TOTAL

What’s happening to parks and gardens and sporting fields in your region?