The City of Melville has taken additional steps towards enhancing its green spaces by adopting the Review of the Urban Forest Strategic Plan 2017-2036 at the October 2024 Ordinary Meeting of Council.
Core focuses of the Urban Forest Strategic Plan include renewing the aging tree population, increasing canopy cover, and integrating urban forest protection into planning instruments. This comprehensive review assessed the progress made since the original plan's adoption in 2017 and established new goals to bolster the City's urban canopy and protect its natural environment.
An ambitious new target aims to increase City-wide canopy cover from 12.5% to 15% over the next decade, with a progress check to be undertaken during the next aerial tree survey in 2027. These targets directly support the City’s Council Plan for the Future 2024-2034, in protecting and enhancing our natural environment, and increasing urban forest tree canopy on City-managed land.
Challenges such as urban growth, pests and diseases, climate change, and a diminishing tree population on private land have underscored the need for a collaborative effort between the City and our community, with residential tree canopy cover targets set to no less than 4% as part of the review.
The City is currently seeking community input on the management of trees on private land through its community engagement, Trees on Your Land, which aims to gather public opinions and preferences regarding tree management strategies.
Residents are encouraged to participate in the engagement before midnight on Sunday, 17 November 2024. For more information on how to get involved, please visit www.melvillecity.com.au/treesonyourland.
To learn more about the City of Melville’s urban forest and this review, please visit our website www.melvillecity.com.au/trees.
Comments attributed to City of Melville Mayor Katy Mair:
“The City of Melville is dedicated to protecting and enhancing our natural environment and this review is not just a reflection of our past efforts, but a roadmap for a clean, green and sustainable future.” said Mayor Katy Mair.
“Since the adoption of our Urban Forest Strategic Plan, we’ve made notable strides in protecting and enhancing our urban forest.
“However, we recognise that sustaining our tree canopy requires a community-wide effort and we’re currently asking residents to take part in our current community engagement, Trees on Your Land, before midnight on Sunday, 17 November, in order to share their ideas on the best approach for maintaining and improving residential canopy cover.”