The urban forest encompasses all the trees in our City, including trees in parks, along streets, in backyards and other green spaces. The urban forest and tree canopy help to:

• Make our environment healthier by providing shade and reducing air pollution
• Create a more pleasant place to live, work and play
• Fight climate change
• Support local wildlife

We’re currently developing an Urban Forest Strategic Plan to help grow and protect our urban tree cover and increase liveability in our City. While the urban forest can improve biodiversity outcomes, we have also undertaken a separate body of work to develop the Urban Bushland and Biodiversity Strategic Plan which addresses how Council manages biodiversity, with a focus on threatened species.

Being able to effectively plan the urban forest requires us to understand the status of the tree population, establish a canopy cover target and set realistic actions to achieve it. By effectively managing and increasing urban tree cover and quality green spaces, we can prioritise the liveability and resilience of the community and enable people to adapt better to a changing climate.

Help inform the creation of the Urban Forest Strategic Plan and provide your feedback before 24 July.