The ACT Government states it has exceeded its tree planting target by around 80 per cent. It set a target of 10,000 trees in the 2021-2022 financial year, and planted around 18,000 trees, an Urban Forest Strategy report shows.
“Our largest tree planting program since self-government is underway as we work towards achieving our ambitious target of 30 per cent tree canopy cover or equivalent by 2045,” said Chris Steel, ACT Minister for Transport and City Services.
“Canberra’s incredible tree canopy is part of what makes our city a great place to live. Trees help cool our suburbs, clean our air, reduce water runoff, improve the liveability of our streets, provide habitat for local wildlife, and enhance community wellbeing.”
Other actions undertaken in 2022 to meet the Urban Forest Strategy objectives include:
• introducing the Urban Forest Bill 2022, which will repeal and replace the Tree Protection Act 2005 and improve tree protection on public and private land by encouraging the ACT Government, industry, and the community to share care of trees
• investing in community-based tree planting initiatives and community programs, including the Adopt-a-Park program and Urban Parks and Places volunteer groups
• collaborating on water sensitive urban projects to promote the health of urban forest, support urban biodiversity, and build liveability
• collaborating with EPSDD and other organisations in developing policy and restoration projects to ensure species diversity is optimised for habitat and connectivity.
In April, the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation and the Arbor Day Foundation officially named Canberra an ‘International Tree City of the World’ in recognition of our efforts.
“As the ACT Government works towards strengthening tree protection in 2023 with the implementation of the Urban Forest Bill, we will continue to work with the community to care for and plant more trees,” Mr Steel said.
The community can suggest locations to plant trees via an interactive map on the YourSay website. Canberrans have suggested more than 4,300 planting locations since the map was launched in 2019.
“These suggestions help guide our planting programs,” Mr Steel said.
People can also check the level of canopy cover in their region, suburb, or even their own block. the online interactive canopy cover map shows Canberra’s canopy cover, by region, based on the 2020 data.
“I encourage the community to increase their own canopy cover to help us achieve our 30 per cent target and enhance our city’s urban forest,” Mr Steel said.
The Urban Forest Strategy report and the ACT Canopy Cover Map 2020 can be viewed at www.cityservices.act.gov.au/trees-and-nature/trees/urban-forest-strategy
For more information on tree planting, visit www.cityservices.act.gov.au/trees-and-nature/trees.
