The Chief Minister, Treasury and Economic Development Directorate (CMTEDD) has released a draft Urban Forest Strategy aimed at achieving 30 per cent canopy coverage over Canberra within the next 25 years.
Announcing the draft Strategy was for public consultation, the Minister for City Services, Chris Steel said it was set to see over 450,000 trees planted.
“One of the best things about Canberra is our spectacular urban forest and we need to retain and enhance this asset for future generations,” Mr Steel said.
“The urban forest is facing major challenges,” he said.
“Many of the large historic tree plantings are reaching the end of their life, we have changing climate conditions and there are challenges presented by urban densification.”
Mr Steel said the Strategy drew on national and international examples of urban forest plans to ensure the Territory could grow and protect its urban forest, including by placing a high monetary value on the benefits of mature trees and protecting them from development.
“To grow our urban forest we will plant more trees and more diverse and resilient species,” he said.
“We’ll also need to ensure new trees receive great care and ongoing maintenance in order to thrive, and take a ‘whole-of-forest’ approach to managing our canopy,” he said.
The 50-page draft Strategy, as well as information on how to have a say, can be accessed at this PS News link.
