- State Government to develop new 'Urban Greening Strategy' for Perth and Peel
- Key initiatives to promote and enhance the greening and cooling of our backyards, streets, open spaces, and neighbourhoods
- State Government to work with Western Australia Local Government Association, and other key stakeholders to develop new strategy
The Cook Government has committed to developing a new 'Urban Greening Strategy' to promote and enhance tree canopy and greening across the Perth and Peel region.
The new strategy will complement the 'Western Australian Climate Policy' and 'Climate Adaptation Strategy', seeking to improve the resilience of the State's cities and regions, with key stakeholder and community input anticipated to commence in mid-2024.
The Urban Greening Strategy will take a whole-of-Government approach to ensure new initiatives are coordinated and complement any existing greening programs, such as the Cook Government's $3.75 million 'Urban Greening Grants Program' also announced today.
Development of the strategy, to be led by the Western Australian Planning Commission (WAPC), will explore elements aimed at enhancing tree canopy and creating more green spaces across the Perth and Peel regions, including:
- tree canopy measurement and reporting;
- education and awareness;
- urban heat identification and mitigation;
- green linkages (including opportunities on underutilised land); and
- an 'Urban Greening Grant Program'.
The State Government will work closely with the WAPC, Western Australian Local Government Association (WALGA), and other stakeholders to build on the many successful urban greening projects already underway and to explore further planning incentives regarding tree retention.
The 'DesignWA' suite of policies includes provisions that require and incentivise retention of existing trees, new tree planting, deep soil zones, soft landscaping along with communal and private open space in low to higher density developments.
The recently announced revised State Planning Policy 7.3 Residential Design Codes, incorporating the medium density code, include incentives to retain existing trees as well as minimum planting and soft landscaping standards for new developments in medium density areas. This builds on the apartment codes released in 2019 that include minimum requirements for deep soil zones, tree planting and soft landscaping in higher density developments.
The strategy will be developed with community input and the State Government invites all stakeholders to provide their input by Friday, 7 June 2024, visit: wa.gov.au/urban-greening-strategy
As stated by Planning Minister John Carey:
"Our Government supports the intent of proposals to enhance and grow our urban tree canopy, and we will engage with WALGA and other key stakeholders during the development of the 'Urban Greening Strategy'.
"We understand the impacts of climate change and the importance of green neighbourhoods, however, our 'Urban Greening Strategy' must be implemented without compromising the critical delivery of new housing supply that we desperately need.
"Urban greening is part of our strategy to create liveable, healthy communities while attracting viable infill development that balances the need for housing with quality of life and amenity.
"The Cook Government will assist in developing an 'Urban Greening Strategy' exploring where we can integrate and encourage urban greening initiatives and most importantly identify opportunities for Government, industry and community to work together.
"This will include Government grant programs, events and incentives, a public education program, expanding successful planting and tree programs, improved tree canopy data, and opportunities to partner with local government and community groups.
"The strategy will focus on an incentive-based approach, rather than a punitive approach."
As stated by Environment and Climate Action Minister Reece Whitby:
"'Western Australia's Climate Adaptation Strategy' and 'Climate Change Policy' recognise the need to improve our resilience to climate change, including responding to increasing temperatures across our communities.
"The new 'Urban Greening Strategy' will complement and build upon the Cook Government's $3.75 million' Urban Greening Grants Program' available to WA local governments in Perth and Peel now.
"There are many benefits of green spaces for liveability, health, biodiversity, and climate resilience, and we are creating a strategy that will encourage, facilitate and enhance our urban green environment across all areas of Government.
"Not only do trees improve our neighbourhoods, they can help with the cost of living a tree that provides shade to your home can help to reduce your electricity bills.
"We have a shared responsibility with local government, industry, private landowners, and the broader community to care for our environment, protect its biodiversity, and ensure we adapt to the increasing impacts of climate change."
