- New whole-of-government Urban Greening Strategyto boost trees, low-level vegetation, and green spaces in Perth and Peel
- Let's Grow program encourages a collective approach to achieve ambitious targets
- Part of Cook Government's commitment to increasing the urban tree canopy and protecting and restoring the environment
The Cook Government has released the first ever urban greening strategy for Perth and Peel.
The strategy will help to combat urban heat, strengthen climate resilience, support community health and wellbeing, and enhance biodiversity and access to nature.
It also recognises the contribution schools and community groups can make to increasing our tree canopy, from growing micro-forests on school sites to planting in local recreation areas, civic spaces, and verges.
To encourage urban greening projects aligned with the strategy, the Cook Government will soon launch a new Let's Grow grants program and the first Let's Grow action plan.
Round one of the Let's Grow grants will fund schools and community groups to deliver urban greening projects that focus on boosting tree canopy.
The strategy and Let's Grow grants will drive progress towardsthe Cook Government's commitment to increase Perth's tree canopy cover to 30 per cent by 2040, and plant one million trees by 2035.
These measures build on significant State Government investments already underway including the $6.9 million Treebates incentive and the $7.2 million Tree Recovery Program.
The strategy will also deliver urban greening awareness and foster strong collaboration to ensure a shared vision towards better outcomes.
It has been shaped by extensive research and consultation, including with the leaders of the Danjoo Koorliny Walking Together project.
For further details on Let's Grow, visit www.wa.gov.au/letsgrow
Comments attributed to Planning and Lands Minister John Carey:
"Our government has worked extensively to develop the first ever urban greening strategy for Perth and Peel, while making significant investments to boost urban canopy.
"In line with this government's commitment to delivering housing and essential infrastructure, the strategy provides a co-ordinated, practical approach to ensure trees, plants, and green spaces are integrated into our neighbourhoods as they evolve.
"This new strategy supports our efforts to boost urban canopy including changes to the residential codes to incentivise tree retention, the Treebates incentive, and the Tree Recovery program."
Comments attributed to the Environment Minister Matthew Swinbourn:
"Around the world, urban greening is being adopted asa response to global challenges like climate changeand biodiversity loss.
"The Urban Greening Strategyreinforces the need togrow tree canopyand vegetationto shade and coolour neighbourhoods and improve communitywellbeing.
"But more than just planting trees, urban greeninghelps protect and enhance the natural world thatsustains usall. We all need to work together tocreate a city that is climate-resilient andnature-rich forgenerations to come."
