PERSISTENT dry weather will put a dampener on this year’s National Tree Day planting across Tamworth.
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Two groups renowned for their participation in the day’s activities have cancelled events planned for this weekend.
Tamworth Regional Tidy Towns Committee and Friends of Altona Park have decided not to plant any new trees this year.
The dwindling water level of Chaffey Dam, which will see Level 3 restrictions imposed within weeks, was behind the decision.
Tidy Towns Committee chairman Paul Ying said that any young native seedlings planted would require too much water in the coming months.
He said it would be a “huge task” to simply sustain the plants with buckets if watering by hose was outlawed under Level 3 restrictions.
“It is better to take the water-wise approach of cancelling the annual planting programs and concentrate on sustaining the existing plants in our community gardens until the weather pattern changes,” he said.
Tamworth Regional Council’s manager of parks and horticulture, Brian Sheedy, said the committee deserved praise for its leadership on the issue.
He said council would consider rescheduling National Tree Day community planting events when the rains come and dam levels reach sustainable levels.
Tamworth Urban Landcare, utilising non-potable water, will proceed with its planting on the banks of the Peel River behind the skate park from 9am on Sunday.