Our Tree Canopy Improvement Strategy

This strategy generates a new mandate for tree planting, tree protection and resourcing directed to trees to improve the amount of tree canopy city wide for the benefit of our community and environment in the face of a changing climate.

The Strategy's guiding principles and actions

  1. Plant more trees in a programmed manner.
  2. Identify the number of trees that need to be planted to achieve the target.
  3. Develop a planting program.
  4. Identify the resources required.
  5. Prioritise planting areas.
  6. Get growing conditions right.
  7. Review the success of various species.
  8. Ensure we have the right mix of species diversity.
  9. Make sure we plant climate-ready trees.
  10. Trial new species.
  11. Trial different planting and establishment practices.
  12. Plant the right-sized trees that suit the location.
  13. Review planting typologies.
  14. Review existing street tree policy.
  1. Endorse the plan and target.
  2. Commit adequate resources.
  3. Undertake modelling.
  4. Identify locations where trees are to be planted.
  1. Adopt and promote the concept that we are custodians of trees for current and future generations.
  2. Advocate for thoughtful design choices.
  3. Monitor impacts on trees of newly updated planning laws.
  4. Retain more trees with education, encouragement and incentives.
  5. Reduce the numbers of trees removed for new cross-overs.
  6. Advocate for increased tree protections and retentions in legislation.
  7. Create more space and opportunity to plant trees.
  1. Ensure the current practice of inspecting and pruning at least every 3 years is maintained.
  2. Ensure we maintain our existing tree stock in the best way we can.
  3. Investigate and develop tools for better urban forest management.
  4. Review existing tree data and capture more if needed to help manage our tree population.
  5. Make sure we are helping trees at the right time when they aren't doing so well.
  6. Engage our community to spot the signs of tree stress and what they can do to help.
  7. Look at how we plan to replace trees as they get to the end of their life.
  8. Help trees live and thrive as long as possible.
  1. Develop and implement a range of engagement tools.
  2. Educate our community about the work Council does to maintain and enhance our tree canopy.
  3. Develop and implement a long-term communications strategy to educate and engage our community.
  4. Value our green assets on par with grey assets.
  5. Educate Council staff and stakeholders.
  1. Develop a monitoring and evaluation plan.
  2. Measure progress.
  3. Measure tree canopy cover every 5 years.
  4. Review and update the plan every 5 years.

Community feedback - how you helped develop this strategy

Between July and September 2021 we raised awareness and invited community feedback to help shape our strategy. Here is a summary of what we found.

What we changed in response to your feedback

A range of points were noted in the community feedback, with strong sentiment for the following:

  • The need for, and importance of, such a strategy.
  • The urgency to plant more trees in the face of wide-spread tree loss from development.
  • The need for appropriate species selection and species diversity.
  • The multiple benefits of trees including their aesthetic quality, shade and cooling, habitat for birds and other ecosystem services.
  • The change to the urban form from infill and other forms of development and associated tree loss.
  • The need for improved legislative protection of trees and incentivisation of tree retention on private land.

In consideration of this feedback, a number of refinements to the draft strategy were made including:

  • Placing greater emphasis on, and priority to, a number of actions within the strategy.
  • Broader consideration of community education about:
    • the planning system
    • trees species selection
    • Council's tree planting policies and practices.
  • Methods for the community to be involved in tree planting on public land.