City staff in Duncan are asking council to allocate $25,000 to create a Tree Rebate Program to increase biodiversity in the area.
According to a staff report, council is scheduled to discuss the matter during a meeting on Mar. 27 and will decide if a tree rebate program and a tree sale will be funded from the Local Government Climate Action Program Reserve.
The report highlights the need for urban trees in the community and outlines just how essential they are including moderating temperatures.
“Urban trees are valuable to City assets that provide significant services to the community,” the report says. “This includes stormwater management, enhancing summer cooling, and moderating winter cold; trees reduce wind speed and absorb airborne pollutants, sequester carbon and produce oxygen and increase biodiversity by providing habitat for birds and other animals and plant species.”
The rebate program would be open to property owners, but an analysis by city staff indicates it would be limited to one rebate per property and follow a strict outline before they’re granted.
“The application form would request proof of address, proof of purchase, and a photo of the planted tree with its tag visible,” the report says. “Staff recommend creating a suggested tree list, but not requiring specific types of trees, or planting locations.”
Two categories would be implemented, with the first allowing residents being allowed to claim up to $100 per tree, or if the tree is less than $100 then the paid amount would be rebated.
The second rebate would be applied for strategic planning, where the city says property owners could receive 100 per cent of the cost for planting the trees, up to $1,000 in total. They add the second phase would also be application based, and open to all properties.
For more information on the proposal visit the city’s website.
