Grab a plant and learn about volunteering

Locals can green their garden or try their hand at volunteering at the Volunteer Expo and Plant Giveaway on Saturday.

Deputy Mayor Marion Browne said volunteer groups and committees will be hosting stalls at the Expo to inform residents of the services they provide, and welcome any new volunteers who would like to give something back to their community.

"As was highlighted our recent Volunteer Awards, the city's volunteers do some invaluable work for Broken Hill, and are held in very high esteem within the community," said Cr Browne.

"Volunteering is an extremely rewarding pursuit, and we'd strongly encourage anyone curious about volunteering to come along on Saturday and find a group that suits them."

The Expo will be complemented by Council's annual Plant Giveaway, which will see a massive 1650 plants distributed to the public for free.

Council's Chief Operations Officer, Anthony Misagh, said staff were taking a new approach to the giveaway this year.

"We've increased the number of plants by 250, and also shifted the focus away from larger trees," he said.

"We've instead increased the number of groundcovers and hardy small to medium shrubs, as they've proven far more popular at previous giveaways.

"Residents will see quicker growth from these smaller plant types, and should be able to quickly green their gardens and help reduce dust."

The Volunteer Expo and Plant Giveaway will be held from 9am-midday on September 22 at the Civic Centre, with a limit of three plants per household.

Volunteer groups wishing to register for the Expo can do so via the "I Want To" section at the top of Council's website. Registrations close on September 19.

Full list of plants available on Saturday:

Correa "Dusky Bells" Height: 60cm Spread: 2-4m Small shrub, pink flowers, drought tolerant, frost resistant. Westringia "Winyabie Gem" Height: 1.5m Spread: 1.5m Small shrub, purple flowers in spring. Westringia "Jervis Gem" Height: 1m Spread: 1m Small shrub, purple flowers, can be used as a hardy low hedge. Westringia "Smokie" Height: 1-2m Spread: 1-2m Medium shrub, white flowers, evergreen. Grevillea "Gin Gin Gem" Height: 50cm Spread: 1-3m Groundcover, cream and red flowers, can be planted in full sun, or light shade. Liriope Muscari Height: 30cm Spread 50cm Evergreen, suitable for clump plantings, mauve flowers, can be planted in full sun or light shade. Callistemon "Little John" Height: 1m Spread: 1m Dwarf bottlebrush, red flowers, low maintenance. Eremophila Glabra Height: 50cm Spread: 1m Drought tolerant, low maintenance. Myoporum Parvifolium Height: 20cm Spread: 1-2m Creeping groundcover with flowers.