Ribbons of Green

The Ribbons of Green program was developed to encourage the use of indigenous plants and to help offset carbon emissions caused by council's fleet. We provide free plants each year to private landowners, schools and community groups looking to create bush habitats.

Benefits of Planting Native Vegetation

Did you know that native plants:

• provide habitat for animals
• help with erosion control
• provide shelter for animals
• helps with weed reduction
• improve the landscape

What if offered through the program?

60,000 tubes of indigenous plants will be available free of charge to private landowners, schools and community groups. Plant guards, weed mats and stakes are also available.

We can also give you information on how to prepare the site, control weeds and select appropriate plants.

Who can participate and how many plants can I have?

This program is open to private landowners, community groups and schools. We're hoping to create bush style habitat and we'd like you to be able to plant a minimum of 300 plants; 100 must be trees (this is to account for the carbon offset component of the program) and 200 understorey plants. As a result the program isn't intended for general landscaping around buildings.  You can share your plants with a neighbour. There is no minimum number for schools.

Before ordering your plants you should consider:

• the amount of space you have available
• if you have enough room for 'trees' amongst your existing canopy trees
• the number of participants in the program
• amount of time you can spend planting (eg takes around 5-6hrs for an adult to plant 100 trees)

How do I get my plants?

Orders are taken from July to November. Planting is done the following May or June.  This gives the nurseries time to grow the plants and you time to prepare the site. By planting in May or June plants do not normally need follow up watering during summer, but you should keep and eye on them in extreme heat conditions.

To order plants or to get more information please contact Benn Sheffield on 9294 6824 or email us