A new report from City Services has revealed the Territory planted around 18,000 trees in the 2021-2022 financial year, an effort far exceeding the 10,000-tree target it aimed at at the beginning of the year.
Celebrating the achievement, the Minister for Transport and City Services, Chris Steel said City Services’ Report on Urban Tree Canopy Coverage tracked the Territory’s progress towards the objectives in its Urban Forest Strategy 2021-2045.
“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,” Mr Steel said.
“Canberra’s incredible tree canopy is part of what makes our city a great place to live,” he said.
“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.”
Mr Steel said that in addition to the record tree planting program, other key actions undertaken in 2022 included the introduction of the Urban Forest Bill 2022, to repeal and replace the Tree Protection Act 2005 and improve tree protection on public and private land by encouraging shared care of trees by the ACT Government, industry and the community.
He said the Directorate also invested in community-based tree planting initiatives and community programs – including the Adopt-a-Park program and Urban Parks and Places volunteer groups.
To meet the Strategy’s objectives the Minister said City Services was also collaborating on water sensitive urban projects to help promote the health of urban forest, support urban biodiversity and build liveability.
Mr Steel said collaboration with the Environmental, Planning and Sustainable Development Directorate and other organisations was undertaken to develop policy and restoration projects to ensure species diversity was optimised for habitat and connectivity.
City Services’ 52-page Urban Tree Canopy Coverage Strategy Report can be accessed at this PS News link.
