GUST is a small volunteer community group on a mission to green, cool and beautify the Central Coast Peninsula through street tree planting.

GUST was founded in 2015 as part of the Umina Community Group, before joining the Peninsula Environment Group in 2021. GUST welcomes new volunteers to help co-ordinate street tree projects, planting and care of trees.

As of 2026, GUST has planted over 1,100 street trees for residents. All plantings adhere to Council’s nature strip planting policy.

As well as looking beautiful, shade trees in urban areas significantly reduce the “urban heat effect”, where exposed tarmac and concrete absorbs then slowly releases heat to create hotter street-level temperatures. Although surrounded by national park, the Woy Woy Peninsula itself has significantly less tree cover than other Central Coast towns and suburbs, and studies have shown parts of the Peninsula can be up to 6C hotter in summer than surrounding areas.

Increasing tree cover also:

• helps combat global warming by storing CO2.

• saves money by providing shade thus reducing the need for air-conditioning in summer.

• reduces stress, improve mental health and promote a sense of well-being.

• provides privacy, reduces dust and noise, increases street appeal and property values.

• provides habitat for birds and wildlife.

GUST has been proudly supported by Bendigo Bank Ettalong in previous years and the generous donations made by our local community.