The ACT Government’s tree planting effort is on track to help to cool our city, with new data released in the Government’s annual tree report.
“Recent planting reporting reveals we’re on track to plant more than 64,000 trees by mid-next year, far exceeding the 54,000 we promised at the election,” said Minister for Transport and City Services Chris Steel.
“More trees being established in our suburbs and city will strengthen Canberra’s resilience to the urban heat island effect, exacerbated by climate change.”
“This is the fifth large tree planting that’s occurred in our city’s history, with the new stock set to grow canopy cover across our city, especially in new and emerging suburbs built after 1990.
“As well as tree planting the ACT Government has made investments in the budget in more tree maintenance staff to manage our large and ageing urban forest,” said Minister Steel.
The ACT Government’s tree planting program is supported by the introduction of the Urban Forest Act 2023 and the Urban Forest Strategy.
“From 1 January 2024 new laws to protect Canberra’s trees for a generation will come into effect, and for the first time, all of the trees planted on public land will be protected as well as trees on leased land over 8m tall,” said Minister Steel.
“The ACT Government is holding information sessions for industry and the community throughout November to provide an overview of the new tree laws ahead of the commencement.”
“The combination of more plantings, improved maintenance and protection of existing trees will ensure that our city’s trees provide lasting benefits to generations of Canberra families.”
The ACT Government has set a target of 30 per cent canopy cover or equivalent by 2045.
Canopy cover is measured by LiDAR data, the scientific standard in determining tree coverage across Canberra’s urban footprint.
This is detailed in the annual Urban Tree Canopy Coverage Report which explains each suburb’s tree canopy data. Canberra’s city-wide canopy cover was last measured in 2020, estimating that Canberra has a canopy cover of 22.5%. LiDAR data is updated every 5 years to determine the success of the tree planting program and urban forestry policies.
Suburbs with the highest levels of tree canopy cover above the 30 per cent target include:
- Isaacs
- Reid
- Aranda
- Cook
- Forrest
- Deakin
- Garran
- Braddon
- Weetangera
