• Over 15,000 native plants were given away in 2025 through the City of Darwin’s Native Plant Giveaway. 

• The tree damage caused by Cyclone Fina highlights the importance of the plant giveaway program.  

• The program supports the Greening Darwin Strategy 2030 by encouraging residents to plant on private land which increases shade, biodiversity, and liveability while using low-maintenance native species. 

Cyclone Fina’s impact on the city's trees has highlighted why programs like the City of Darwin’s Native Plant Giveaways are essential to restoring and strengthening the city’s green canopy. 

The cyclone damaged more than 4,500 trees across Darwin, with over 1,000 requiring removal. The Native Plant Giveaways help offset this loss, and in 2025 more than 15,000 native plants were distributed, supporting the long-term goals of the Greening Darwin Strategy 2030. 

Launched in 2021, the program has distributed more than 80,000 native plants to boost urban tree canopy cover across the municipality. The focus is on privately owned land, which makes up the majority of Darwin. 

Planting native species accelerates the regeneration of tree cover lost in significant weather systems such as cyclones. Their strong root systems reduce erosion and stabilise soil, building ecosystem resilience. Following Cyclone Marcus, the City of Darwin shifted to planting native trees proven to better withstand tropical cyclone conditions.  

By encouraging residents to green their own properties, the initiative directly contributes to shading, cooling, biodiversity, and liveability outcomes, while helping Darwin achieve its vision of a cool, clean, and green city under the Greening Darwin Strategy 2030. 

Acting Lord Mayor Patrik Ralph said over the past five years, our community has really embraced this program.  
 
“It’s clear residents want to play an active role in the Greening Darwin Strategy and help grow our urban canopy,” he said. 

“This year alone, we’ve welcomed around 300 residents at each of the eight giveaways. People are turning up early, chatting with staff, and it’s great to see so many locals personally contributing to a greener, cooler Darwin.” 

“This program demonstrates how Council is taking proactive, progressive steps to achieve the outcomes of our Greening Darwin Strategy and create a city we can all be proud of and enjoy well into the future,” Mr Ralph said.   

The final Native Plant Giveaway for 2025 was held in Lyons on Saturday, November 15.  

Residents not only collected their share of between 1,300 to 2,300 free native plants per event but received personalised gardening advice from the City of Darwin team, learning how to plant and care for their native plants. 

The program offers a diverse range of Northern Territory native species, from canopy trees and acacias to groundcovers and shrubs, tailored to suit each suburb. 

Native plants generally require less water than exotic species, are low maintenance, and provide a reliable food source and habitat for native wildlife, making them ideal for supporting greening goals. 

Held during the dry seasons, the City of Darwin plans to host about eight giveaways annually until 2030.