Urban Forest Plan - City of Stirling
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Urban Forest Plan
The City of Stirling acknowledges the Wadjak People of the Nyoongar Nation as the traditional custodians of Mooro Country. We pay our respects to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Elders past, present and emerging for they hold the memories, the traditions, the culture and hopes for Aboriginal Australia. 2
Snapshot of our plan
Our vision
The City of Stirling is shaded by a diverse canopy of trees which cools our City, provides
habitat for wildlife, creates attractive leafy, green streets, and maintains liveability as our
climate changes. Our canopy is distributed across the City, allowing all members of our
community to benefit from the urban forest. Our buildings and infrastructure are designed
to support tree health and growth, which maximises the benefits that the canopy provides.
Our community values, protects and cares for existing trees, plants new trees, and is
provided with assistance, rewards and recognition by the City.
City trees receive the best possible care to ensure a long and healthy life. The City leads
by example in its own projects and works to embed protection of our urban forest within
the values of our community, our organisation and other tiers of government.
Our canopy cover: 20
12.6 per cent average
City-wide
15
Our canopy target:
18 per cent average canopy
cover City-wide by 2040 10
Our strategies to grow the
5
urban forest:
1 Engage the community
0
Now 2030 2040
2 Plant more trees
Our challenge
3 Retain more trees
Each year the City of Stirling loses four times more canopy
than we grow. In the last six years the City has lost 1.2 million
square metres of canopy. Two-thirds of this loss has occurred
4 Maximise canopy
on residential land, primarily as a result of development. If
growth and benefits
these trends continue, many suburbs will lose between 50
and 85 per cent of tree canopy on residential land in the
next 10 years.
Urban Forest Plan 2019 | 3
What the City is already doing
Action area 1 – City Land Action area 3 – Government
Delivering the Million Trees Planting Program Advocating for State Government action
Increasing the number of trees on verges and in Including increased tree retention, protection and
parks, prioritising tree planting adjacent to new planting on State land, by State agencies, and by
homes, and trialling the planting of new tree species. utility providers.
Around 10,000 new trees are planted annually.
Canopy modelling tool
Increasing protection for street trees The City developed a tree planting and canopy retention
The Street and Reserve Trees Policy includes modelling tool and shared it with local governments to
requirements for Tree Protection Zones and improve canopy planning for the future.
Tree Bonds to reduce tree damage during
development.
Trialling tree-friendly infrastructure projects
Reducing conflicts between tree roots and paths.
Action area 2 – Community
Providing opportunities for participation Action area 4 – Monitoring, Research and
and action Communications
The City provides up to 1,200 free trees annually for Collecting data to inform decision making and
residents’ gardens. We run Community Tree Planting future action
projects, with more than 6,000 participants and 6,500 The City has been monitoring and reporting canopy
new trees planted since 2013, and the Stirling Tree changes since 2012 and modelling long-term
Trail event with 4,000 attendees in 2018. We also implications of continued loss. Partnerships have been
offer tree-planting support with tree canopy mapping established with universities to carry out research, and
services for 22 local schools in 2018 – 19. the City has undertaken financial valuations of street
Providing incentives and support trees since 2012 using Helliwell and iTree valuation
The City is trialling a free arborist service for residents methods.
to assess selected trees for health and structure, Sharing knowledge with others
to encourage tree retention and enable better tree Including presentations at workshops and events,
management. liaison with other local governments and the WA Local
Requiring new tree-planting as a part of Government Association (WALGA), and contribution to
development the State Government Urban Forest Guidelines.
One tree for every six car bays is required on
commercial and industrial land. One tree per
500 square metres is required for all developments
over $100,000 with minimum planting areas, deep soil
and setbacks.
4
What else we will do
Action area 1 – City Land Action area 3 – Government
Expand the Million Trees Planting Program Advocate for a whole-of-government approach
to tree retention
• Preserve existing space and create new space for
trees, with a focus on resourcing, tree resilience, • Facilitate the development of a code of conduct and
biodiversity and optimum health. canopy replacement plantings for utility services and
government agencies during public works projects.
Establish a Tree-Friendly Infrastructure Program
• Expand local government partnerships to share
• Fast-track the delivery of underground power lines.
knowledge.
• Develop an Urban Forest Innovation Fund.
• Advocate for changes to State planning policies
• Establish minimum tree planting standards, and the Residential Design Codes to reduce site
canopy offset requirements and canopy targets coverage, enable greater tree retention and create
for all City projects. space for trees.
Action area 2 – Community Action area 4 – Monitoring, Research and
Establish a Leafy Neighbourhoods Program Communications
• Deliver more awareness promoting the benefits Establish a Growing Knowledge Program
of trees and additional workshops, events and • Refine City-wide annual aerial vegetation mapping
arborist advice services. to better monitor canopy with results being reported
• Expand opportunities for community action and in annual reports and on the City’s website.
participation including a voluntary Protected Tree • Fund new research partnerships to grow knowledge
Register and more free trees. on urban forests in a Western Australian context, and
• Provide rewards for planting and retaining trees facilitate knowledge sharing among stakeholders.
and support to maintain protected trees.
• Engage more schools in tree planting and canopy
mapping.
Establish a Tree-Friendly Development Program
• Provide clear policies, new support services,
subsidies and guidance for development to make
it easier to plant trees, retain trees and use tree-
friendly building materials and methods.
• Recognise and reward best practice.
• Increase canopy cover requirements in carparks
and investigate a Canopy Offset Scheme to
reduce long-term canopy loss from demolition
and development.
Urban Forest Plan 2019 | 5
Background
The City of Stirling has long recognised that canopy cover and a resilient urban forest are
essential for the wellbeing of its residents and the liveability of its suburbs; however, tree loss
is becoming more significant and is increasing each year.
The City believes that future Million Trees Program The urban forest is owned and
residents should have the same In 2009, the City committed to plant managed by both the City and the
opportunity to enjoy cool, leafy one million new trees and shrubs as community, and the City cannot
neighbourhoods that past and a first step towards ensuring cool, reverse canopy decline alone.
present residents have enjoyed. leafy communities into the future. If tree canopy is to increase then
Our consultation shows that our As of 2018, the City is on track to the community and the City must
community shares this belief. achieve this target by 2025, with work together to develop solutions,
almost 643,000 trees and shrubs embrace change and take positive
The City values the benefits our
planted to date. steps to create the cool, leafy
urban forest provides. Our trees help
liveable suburbs that our
shade and cool our City. They have Canopy target community wants.
cultural and historical value, provide
The City has a canopy target of
homes and food for wildlife, influence
18 per cent by 2040, a 50 per cent
health and wellbeing and improve
increase on our existing canopy
overall liveability in the City.
cover of 12.6 per cent. Despite the Over the past six years,
This plan aims to set a clear direction target and tree-planting programs, suburbs across the City have
to support positive change and lay tree canopy across the City is lost more than 1.2 million
the foundation for cool, leafy suburbs declining. A new approach is square metres of tree canopy.
into the future. required if we are to create cool,
leafy suburbs into the future.
30%
New York City 30% by 2030
Is an 18 per cent canopy
target too low?
City of Sydney 23% by 2030
The City of Stirling has
chosen to set an average
canopy target which covers all
land types and is achievable
City of Bayswater City of Fremantle Town of Vincent rather than aspirational.
Canopy cover
20% by 2025 20% by 2035 20% by 2050
Despite being one of the lowest
targets around, modelling
City of Stirling shows that it can be achieved
18% by 2040 with significant change.
City of Stirling While other cities and towns
Current canopy cover may have higher targets, many
12.4% of these apply only to public
land and not private land, and
existing canopy cover in these
0% council areas is higher than
2020 2030 2040 2050
the City of Stirling’s.
Years
Canopy targets shown above apply to all land types including private land.
6
Our urban forest today
What is the Urban Forest? What is tree canopy?
The urban forest is made up of all trees on private land, Tree canopy consists of all the branches and leaves
City land, and State Government land. of a tree above three metres in height. Canopy cover
refers to the area of ground hidden by a tree’s canopy
Hardscape
when viewed from above. Canopy cover is an easy
Almost three-quarters of land in the City is covered in way to measure the size of the urban forest based
hardscape such as roofs, roads and paving. Hardscape upon the canopy width.
absorbs heat, prevents rainwater infiltrating, and cannot
support trees. Canopy cover
As of 2018, The City has an average of 12.6
per cent canopy cover across all land types
Hardscape (71.3%)
Where is our canopy?
Grass and shrubs (16.1%)
One-third of our canopy is on residential land,
Trees 3 m – 12 m (9.6%) and half is on City land.
Trees 12+ m (3%)
Street trees
The City has more than 100,000 street trees which have a combined Helliwell What is Helliwell?
value of over $440 million. Our street trees comprise more than 229 species
including both exotics and Australian natives. The Helliwell system calculates
a tree’s financial amenity value
Reserve trees using a number of criteria
The City monitors trees in its almost 500 parks and reserves annually as including its life expectancy,
part of its aerial canopy mapping. An audit of each individual tree is yet to canopy size, rarity and visual
be undertaken. impact. The Helliwell system is
recognised worldwide as a way
of valuing the amenity of trees as
important community assets.
Some land types have more canopy cover than others
Many home gardens contain no trees, lowering average canopy cover on residential land.
(5.5%) (8.4%) (18%) (24%) (11.8%)
Commercial Residential Verges Parks All other land
and industrial types
Urban Forest Plan 2019 | 7
Some suburbs have more canopy than others
Suburbs with higher rates of canopy cover often have more public open space and/or low-density housing,
while suburbs with less canopy cover often have less public open space and/or higher-density housing.
Watermans Bay Carine Hamersley
13.4% 18% 15.2% Balga
11.5%
Mirrabooka
North Beach
9.8%
12.3%
Balcatta
Westminster
6.4% 10%
Karrinyup
20% Gwelup
Trigg
16.3% 16.7%
Nollamara
8.4%
Stirling
8.6% Dianella
11.3%
Doubleview Innaloo
11.4% 10.9%
Scarborough Tuart Hill
9.3% 7.9% Yokine
12.3%
Osborne Park
4.9%
Woodlands Joondanna
14.5% 10.6%
-30%
Wembley Coolbinia
Wembley
Downs 19.3% Inglewood
Downs
18.9% 19.1%
Menora
Herdsman 16.7%
Churchlands 10.8%
Glendalough
15.5%
17.7%
Mt Lawley
19.2%
Wembley
19.4%
Orange
0 – 5% cover
Grey
5 – 10% cover
Light green
10 – 15% cover
Dark green
15 – 20% cover
8
Our urban forest is declining
In 2012, the City began monitoring tree canopy cover and measuring vegetation changes.
In 2017 a detailed analysis of five years of data was undertaken to identify trends in canopy
changes and to model the potential long-term implications of these trends.
What we learnt from five years of canopy change data
We are losing around High-development suburbs
200,000 square metres are losing canopy more
of canopy each year quickly than others Who is developing?
In a five-year period, suburbs across Suburbs with high rates of It is widely believed that
the City lost more than one million development are losing canopy professional developers are
square metres of tree canopy. at four-and-a-half times the rate responsible for much of the tree
That’s around 200,000 square of suburbs with low rates of loss occurring in the City. In fact,
metres of canopy being lost development. Many of these suburbs on average only 10 per cent of
each and every year. already have lower than average residential development is being
tree canopy and are at risk of losing driven by professional developers:
The majority of canopy loss is the remaining 90 per cent is a
up to 85 per cent of their private
occurring on residential land trees in the next 10 years. combination of residents building
Two-thirds of all canopy loss each homes (around 40 per cent)
year is occurring on residential land, and ‘mum and dad investors’
and a further 12 per cent is lost The City’s tree planting will developing an investment property
from the City’s verges. A majority not compensate for the loss (around 50 per cent).
of loss is occurring as a result of of trees on private land Data derived from analysis of
redevelopment and is linked to the
The City plants on average 10,000 1125 Development Applications
construction of larger homes and
new trees in reserves and on verges approved between 2013 and 2019
multiple homes.
each year and by 2035 all available in high-development suburbs.
spaces will be fully planted. However,
if the rate of loss on private land
continues at the current rate, the
canopy provided by these new trees
will simply offset some of the loss
It’s just one tree…
Two-thirds of all occurring on private land, rather or is it?
canopy loss each than increasing our tree canopy
year is occurring Canopy loss in the City of Stirling
as intended.
on residential land is not the result of large tracts of
bushland being cleared, but is
instead happening one tree at
a time, and one development
at a time.
The individual choices and actions
of each resident may not seem
Residential land – 68% that important – ‘it’s just one tree’
– but the cumulative impact and
Verges – 12% scale of these individual actions
and decisions is now showing at a
All other land types – 20% City-wide level.
Each year the City loses
200,000 square metres of
tree canopy, the equivalent of
3,800 medium sized trees or
3,800 residents each making
a decision that results in the
removal of ‘just one tree’.
Urban Forest Plan 2019 | 9
What does this mean for our
future urban forest?
If the City, community and State Government do not make significant changes, it will not be
possible to reach our 18 per cent target by 2040.
The City is currently losing four times cover will be lower than it is today. our canopy towards public land,
more canopy than we are growing Every time we remove a tree, we reducing the benefits of our urban
each year. If canopy loss continues increase the time we will have to forest. Parks and streets will become
at its current rate, we will have less wait for our canopy cover to return cooler and shadier, but residents’
canopy than we have today until at to its current level. homes will become hotter and
least 2030. more exposed.
Canopy distribution will
Canopy cover will continue to change in a way which If we don’t act now, there
decrease before it increases provides less benefit will be very few private trees
Trees grow slowly. Even if a new Trees provide most of their services left in some suburbs
tree is planted each time an existing and benefits to the areas closest to In 10 years’ time, suburbs with high
mature tree is removed, it will take where they are planted. Continued rates of development are predicted
at least 30 years for the new tree canopy loss on residential land to lose up to 85 per cent of the
to grow as large as the existing tree coupled with increased tree planting residential canopy which existed
was. For those 30 years, our canopy on verges and parks will redistribute in 2012.
It can take 30+ years to replace the canopy lost when a mature tree is removed
5 years 20 years 30+ years
10Some suburbs will not be able to significantly increase residential canopy cover for 30 or more years.
In many residential developments, the entire site is taken up with building and hardscape. This means even if
home owners wanted to plant a tree it would not be possible, as there is simply no room available.
It may be another 30 or 40 years until these homes are demolished and rebuilt, and space for trees could then
be created.
Percentage of canopy on residential land which existed in 2012 predicted to be lost in 10 years
-31% -22%
Watermans Bay
-43% Hamersley
Carine
-72% -15%
Balga
-36% Mirrabooka
North Beach
-40% -55%
-40% Balcatta Westminster
Karrinyup
-73%
-25% Gwelup
Trigg
-83%
Nollamara
-27%
Stirling
-36%
Dianella
-73%
-53% -48% Innaloo
Scarborough
Doubleview
-50%
Tuart Hill -42%
Yokine
-31%
-44% Osborne Park
Woodlands -43%
Joondanna
-30% -19%
Wembley Coolbinia -28%
Inglewood
Downs
-20%
-34% -33% Menora
Glendalough
Churchlands
-17%
-6% Mt Lawley
Wembley
Urban deforestation in the City of Stirling
Deforestation: the cutting down of trees in a large area, or the destruction of forests by people.
– The Cambridge Dictionary
The term deforestation often conjures images of the Amazon rainforest and the impacts of
its destruction, including the widespread loss of habitat for wildlife. However, the gradual and
continued removal of trees from land within the City of Stirling to make way for homes, driveways
and other infrastructure could be described as urban deforestation.
Urban Forest Plan 2019 | 11The role of the R-codes in urban deforestation
The Residential Design Codes (R Cumulatively, these changes have Section 1 of the R Codes influences
Codes) are a State Government encouraged the construction of single and grouped dwellings, the
planning tool which influences how larger single-storey homes and the type of development permitted on
development occurs. Since the hardscaping of all remaining space the majority of residential land in
1980s a number of changes have on a lot, leaving no room for trees. the City of Stirling. Section 1 does
been made to the R Codes including: In medium density residential areas not contain requirements for tree
it is almost impossible to develop to retention, deep root zones or new
• Reductions in the amount of open
the level permitted by the R Codes tree planting; and no revision date
space required on each lot.
and to retain existing trees or plant has been announced by the State
• Changes in the definition of open new trees after development. Government.
space to include outdoor living
Section 2 of the R Codes was revised Local government has little ability
areas which have a solid roof,
in February 2019 and now requires to change the R Code requirements.
areas under building eaves, and
that new apartment developments Action is required by the State
spaces which contain hardscape
retain existing trees where possible, Government to improve development
instead of landscaping.
plant new trees where retention is not standards, improve liveability and
• Reductions in the setback or possible, and provide open spaces support tree retention.
distance required between and deep soils which will support tree
buildings and lot boundaries. growth and health.
The City of Stirling currently contains approximately 100,000 homes.
The State Government’s Perth and Peel @ 3.5 Million Plan requires the
City to accommodate an additional 60,330 homes. Unless significant
changes are made to State planning tools such as the R-codes, each of
these new homes is likely to result in further canopy loss and increase
the time taken to reach 18 per cent canopy cover.
12People need trees
Why does urban People need trees • Improve our physical health
deforestation matter? Trees and canopy cover are People who live in suburbs with
Trees and canopy cover are essential for human health increased tree canopy are less
essential for liveability, especially and wellbeing. likely to be overweight and more
in hot, dry climates like Perth’s. likely to participate in vigorous
Trees and canopy cover: exercise.
Trees provide a range of services
that are often taken for granted and • Provide shade and cooling • Increase our wealth
unnoticed until the trees are gone for homes Homes located on a tree-lined
and life has become uncomfortable Canopy cover can reduce street are, on average, worth
for people and wildlife. summertime heat by up to $16,000 more than homes on
five degrees. streets without trees.
In cities around the world where
canopy cover has dropped to low • Clean the air
levels, a range of unexpected Trees can reduce the frequency
Size does matter!
consequences have resulted. These of respiratory illness such as
include increases in heat-related asthma. When it comes to trees, bigger
illness and death, respiratory is most definitely better. The
• Reduce heat-related illnesses benefits trees provide are
diseases and breathing problems,
and death during heat-waves directly related to the size of their
low biodiversity and even an
Almost three times as many canopy – large mature trees with
increase in the severity of storms
people die each year from heat- dense canopies provide many
and tornadoes. In response to these
related illness than from traffic more benefits than immature
challenges, urban forest plans are
accidents. smaller trees. This is why it is so
being developed by cities globally to
help restore tree canopy cover. • Improve our mental health important that we retain more
Studies show spending time of our mature trees, and why
around trees can reduce small newly-planted trees are
depression, anxiety and stress. no substitute for the larger trees
which are being removed.
Urban Forest Plan 2019 | 13Cities need trees
Trees and canopy cover: Urban Heat Island
• reduce the urban heat island Hard surfaces such as roads and One of the best ways to reduce
effect roofs exposed to the sun absorb and the urban heat island effect is by
store heat, creating localised pockets increasing the amount of vegetation
• provide a sense of place and of heat. and canopy cover in a city.
visual amenity
In urban areas, this concentration Benefits like shade and cooling
• combat climate change by storing of heat is referred to as an urban are localised to the area around
and sequestering carbon heat island, which can increase a tree. We need trees spread
• provide food and homes for native temperatures by up to 12 degrees throughout the City and on all land
wildlife compared to the surrounding rural types to ensure everyone receives
areas. People living in heat islands the benefits from our urban forest.
• reduce flooding and the need are at increased risk of heat-related Simply planting more trees in our
to invest in infrastructure for
illnesses and death, have increased parks won’t provide as much shade
stormwater control.
air conditioning costs, and are less and cooling for our homes as trees
likely to exercise outdoors. in backyards will.
Increasing temperature
Heat absorbed by buildings and hard surfaces not shaded by tree canopy increases air temperatures and
contributes to urban heat. This effect is especially noticeable at night when warmed surfaces radiate their
stored heat resulting in increased night-time air temperatures.
Shading vs cooling
Both trees and man-made
structures can provide shade
on a hot day, but only trees will
actually cool the air too. Tree
leaves absorb and use the part
of sunlight which creates heat,
leaving the leaves cool to the
touch, while transpiration (trees
‘sweating’) releases water
vapour and actively reduces air
temperature.
14Low-canopy suburbs are hotter than high-canopy suburbs
Wembley Downs
is cooler with
18.9% canopy
cover, and summer
surface temperatures
between 20oC
to 40oC on
residential land.
Westminster is hotter
with only 10% canopy
cover, and summer
surface temperatures
between 40oC
to 55oC on
residential land.
Public open space
which has higher
levels of canopy
cover is cooler
than surrounding
residential land.
Town of
Cambridge
Land surface
temperature oC
10oC
20oC
35oC
45oC
55oC
y of
Source: Caccetta, Peter; Devereux, Drew; Amati, Marco; Boruff, Bryan; Kaspar, Joseph; Phelan, Kath; Saunders, Alex (2017):
Land surface temperature and urban heat island estimates for Australian urban centres. v2. CSIRO. Data Collection.
https://doi.org/10.4225/08/59bf0ce837385
Urban Forest Plan 2019 | 15Community input into the
Urban Forest Plan
In 2017/18, the results of the City’s five-year canopy mapping and modelling were presented to
residents and key stakeholders. We asked the community about their values and vision for the
City’s urban forest, their ideas about how more trees can be retained and planted on private
land, and how street trees can be better protected.
Who did we listen to? Key community engagement findings
• Community workshops Our urban forest must grow • Larger homes, smaller blocks,
Four community workshops with Amenity and liveability are key in-fill development and relaxed
residents across the City and a priorities for our community, with planning requirements mean most
youth workshop with more than residents wanting to live in cool, of the land on development sites
100 local students. shady and tree-filled suburbs. is hardscaped and there is no
room for trees.
• Industry workshops There is widespread concern
One workshop with building about tree loss across the City • Common building practices,
industry representatives. materials and compliance
A majority of people consulted are requirements can damage
• Urban Forest Advisory Panel concerned about the current rate of tree roots.
Panel of 18 representatives from tree removal in the City. Ninety-five
key stakeholder groups to advise per cent of surveyed residents are • Retaining trees may increase
on the community consultation concerned about tree loss across the costs and reduce the profitability
outcomes, and provide feedback City, and 93 per cent are concerned of development and is
on the draft Urban Forest Plan. about tree loss in their suburb. Young something most investors
students expressed concern about are not voluntarily prepared
• Resident survey
inheriting hot and treeless suburbs to compromise on.
Opt-in resident survey with
900 residents participating. because of decisions being made Lifestyle:
by adults today. Residents are choosing to remove
• In-depth interviews
Understanding reasons for tree trees and not to plant trees for
Twenty-seven in-depth interviews
loss and lack of tree planting lifestyle reasons including:
to learn more about the factors
which influence tree retention Our consultation provided the • The services, value and benefits
or removal during residential following insights into why trees trees provide are not widely
development, and to identify are being removed from private understood.
how the City can best encourage land, and why the rate of tree
• Perceptions that trees can be a
tree retention on private land. planting is lower than required
safety risk.
to replace the loss.
• Choices between a larger home
Development:
or a tree will often favour a larger
Trees are almost always removed
home.
during development for a range of
reasons including: • Preference for solid roofs rather
than tree cover over entertainment
• Site clearing has become
and alfresco areas.
standard practice and tree
retention is often not prioritised. • Preference for low-maintenance
lifestyles, e.g. ‘lock and leave’
• Designing and building around
homes.
trees is complicated – removing
them is much easier.
16How to reduce tree loss on private land Support the community
Consultation participants suggested • Option 3 – introduce legal
to make positive change
three ways to reduce tree loss on mechanisms to prevent private
There is widespread support for the
private land: tree removal without prior
City to provide services, assistance
approval.
• Option 1 – provide support, and recognition for residents to
assistance and incentives to There were varied opinions between plant, retain and manage the trees
encourage and enable private different groups about which option on their land. Residents also wish to
tree retention. should be implemented – students participate in tree-related programs
and the wider community favoured and activities, and to learn more
• Option 2 – introduce financial
Option 2 and Option 3, while about trees and the benefits that
penalties for private tree removal,
builders, developers and residents they provide.
with the monies collected used to
with large trees on their land
fund tree planting and retention
favoured Option 1.
programs.
Urban Forest Plan 2019 | 17Reversing the deforestation of the City
Tree canopy takes minutes to remove but decades to Modelling shows we cannot achieve our target of
grow. To reverse current deforestation trends and achieve 18 per cent average canopy cover by 2040 without
our vision of cool, leafy suburbs, action is required now. change, however we may be able to achieve it if we
do the following:
Canopy mapping shows we have 10 years to take action
to reverse current deforestation trends. If we fail to act, an
entire generation of residents will not have access to the
services and benefits that trees provide.
Engage our community
Our urban forest is owned and managed by the community, the City, and the State Government. Increasing our
tree canopy is a shared responsibility that will require action and a commitment from our whole community.
+ + +
Retain more of the trees Plant more trees to grow Allow trees to grow as
which exist today additional canopy large as possible, and to
Retaining more of our existing The City is committed to live as long as possible
trees will be challenging and planting every available Trees must be provided with
require our community to think planting space in parks and the best possible growing
differently, act differently and to on street verges and will environment and be cared
value the services and benefits achieve this goal around 2035, for in order to thrive and
that trees provide for us. but it won’t be enough. provide maximum services
New trees are also needed and benefits.
To reach 18 per cent in gardens, in courtyards, in
canopy cover by 2040 we car parks, along the freeway, To reach 18 per cent
must reduce the current in school grounds, around canopy cover by 2040,
rate of canopy loss by 50 business premises, and we must reduce the
per cent. anywhere else that a tree number of trees which
can fit.
die due to poor health or
poor growing environments
To reach 18 per cent
by 50 per cent.
canopy cover by 2040,
16,000 new trees must be
planted each and every
year: 6,000 on private or
State Government land
and 10,000 on City land.
18An incentives-based approach
After considering all relevant factors, Why not just regulate tree retention?
the City has chosen to initially trial an
Introducing rules which mandate Many other local governments
incentives-based approach to private
the retention of private trees in the Perth metropolitan area
tree retention rather than introduce
may seem like the most effective are also experiencing urban
regulation. Professional support and
option available, but it could result deforestation and are developing
services will assist developers to
in unintended consequences such urban forest plans to address
retain trees, residents will receive
as preventing landowners from this issue. If regulation of tree
help to manage and maintain trees
managing their gardens as they removal is required it should occur
on their land, and tree protection will
wish. either at the State level or be
be recognised and rewarded.
introduced simultaneously across
In addition, regulation introduced
The success of this approach will multiple local authorities to ensure
only in the City of Stirling may result
depend upon the willingness of effectiveness and community
in resistance from the building and
the community to embrace the acceptance, and to minimise
development industry and could
opportunities presented and to poor outcomes.
devalue properties with trees.
voluntarily make positive changes for
the future.
Protection for our most valuable trees
Trees which are especially large A voluntary Significant Tree on private land the City will provide
or old, provide food and homes Register will ensure these trees assistance with the cost of the tree’s
for wildlife or which are especially are retained for the benefit of all management and maintenance and
cherished by their owners deserve community members. To reward professional support to design and
special consideration. owners who choose to protect trees develop around the tree if required.
Determining the success of an incentives-
based approach to tree retention
The City will report each year on outcomes of its Urban Forest Plan years of implementation
the progress and effectiveness of and specifically an incentives-based will be presented to Council
delivering the actions contained approach to private tree retention, and will determine whether the
within the Urban Forest Plan. assuming that the outcomes of the incentives-based approach is
previous three years continue in continued, or whether a stronger
In 2022, after three years of
future years. and more regulatory-based course
implementation, the City will
of action is considered.
undertake modelling to predict The results of this modelling and
the likely long-term canopy the successes achieved after three
Urban Forest Plan 2019 | 19Who should pay to grow our urban forest?
The City of Stirling is committed to increase our canopy – but who should Developers who remove private
planting almost 200,000 additional fund this investment? City ratepayers? trees are already required to plant
trees in parks and on verges over the The people responsible for removing new advanced trees on their land at
next 20 years to improve liveability and trees? Both? their own expense, and to cover the
increase canopy cover. At today’s costs, cost of the City planting a new street
If we choose not to take further action,
this represents an investment of more tree if one does not already exist.
residents living in low-canopy suburbs
than $100 million by City ratepayers – They are also required to cover the
will pay through heat-related sickness
an investment which will be returned cost of removal and the lost Helliwell
and deaths, increased air conditioning
many times over through the benefits amenity value if a street tree has to be
costs, reduced mental and physical
that trees provide each and every year. removed to enable development.
health and low-value, low-amenity
However, if private canopy loss neighbourhoods. These measures are a good start but
continues at the current rate, this are not sufficient to replace the canopy
The City believes that the costs of
investment in new public trees will only being lost. Additional measures which
increasing tree canopy should be
offset the private losses occurring and discourage tree removal or require
apportioned fairly. While all residents
not increase our canopy as intended. increased contributions to tree planting
will contribute to the cost to plant
Further investment through increased efforts will be considered through the
200,000 new trees, the costs to replace
planting or incentives to encourage Urban Forest Plan.
the canopy being lost should be borne
retention will be required if we are to
by those who have removed it.
Doubleview 2012 Doubleview 2017
A typical Doubleview street before and after redevelopment. Existing canopy has been removed, blocks
are covered with buildings and hardscape, and there is little room for new trees. Increased number and
width of crossovers has reduced room for street tree growth and planting opportunities.
20Action area 1 – City Land
Key challenges What else will we do?
• Planting spaces on verges are Expand Million Trees Program Tree-Friendly Infrastructure
being fragmented and lost due • Priority plantings Program
to increased crossovers. Prioritise street and reserve tree • Underground power
• Overhead powerlines limit canopy plantings to low-canopy suburbs Fast-track undergrounding to
growth and shading/cooling in industrial and commercial areas allow maximum canopy growth.
opportunities. and along walking routes.
• Infrastructure Innovation Fund
• Street trees are damaged by • New planting spaces Trial the use of tree-friendly
public works and conflicts with Remove excess hardscape, materials and technologies.
infrastructure. investigate planting more densely
• Tree-friendly infrastructure
and in Rights of Way.
• City trees are vulnerable to standards
environmental stresses and future • Street tree loss audit Require tree-friendly design,
climate changes. Annually monitor reasons for construction, materials and
street tree canopy loss. technologies for City-run projects.
• City trees can impact footpaths
through root growth, leaf, seed • Street tree protection • Water-sensitive urban design
and flower debris. Further protect street trees during Maximise infiltration of stormwater
subdivision, demolition, when in tree root zones.
activities occur on the
What is the City verge and from vandalism.
• City Green Asset Register
Track and report on the amenity
already doing? • City tree management and ecological value of the City’s
guidelines trees and the services they
• Planting 10,000 trees annually
Plant, water, prune and maintain provide.
Native and exotic species are
City trees following best practice,
planted to boost diversity. • Protecting planting spaces
and support our trees to survive
Reduce on-verge infrastructure,
• Ensuring new trees thrive future climate challenges.
crossovers and hardscape, review
Trees are watered for up to three
• Urban forest health setback requirements, and require
years and pruned for optimal
Monitor tree health, investigate tree-friendly parking bays.
health and canopy growth.
and act when trees are declining.
• Canopy offsets
• Protecting street trees
• Street Tree Master Plan Introduced for City projects
Street and Reserve Trees Policy,
Increase the number of species requiring retention or replacement
including requirements for tree
planted, develop street themes, plantings – internal documentation
protection zones and tree bonds
create green corridors for wildlife, and approval required for
to reduce tree damage during
and select trees suitable for future tree removal.
development.
climate challenges.
• Canopy targets
• Room to grow Establish for City-run projects.
Increase separation between
• Urban forest education for
trees and infrastructure,
City staff
review site coverage and
Increase knowledge and skills
hardscape permitted, implement
and embed a culture of tree
consistent requirements across
protection, planting and canopy
all land types.
maximisation.
• Footpath maintenance
Increase frequency of cleaning
and debris removal.
Urban Forest Plan 2019 | 21Action area 2 – Community
Key challenges What is the City already doing?
• Trees are almost always removed • Free Tree Scheme • Community Tree Planting
when development occurs. Provides up to 1,200 free trees Program
annually for residents’ gardens. Supports community tree planting,
• Trees are often provided with poor
with 1,400 residents planting
growing environments leading to • Local Planning Policy 6.11
6,500 street trees since 2013.
damage to infrastructure, damage Requires retention or planting
to trees and reduced canopy of one new advanced tree • Living Green Schools Program
growth. per 500 square metres on all Offers tree-planting and
developments over $100,000. canopy-mapping initiatives for
• Forty-five per cent of residential
Minimum areas, deep soil and local schools, with 22 schools
land in the City is zoned for
setbacks required. participating in 2018 – 19.
medium density, and permitted
development type in these areas • Landscaping Policy • Urban forest engagement
leaves little room for trees. Requires one tree per six car bays Delivers the Stirling Tree Trail
on commercial and industrial land. event, which attracted 4,000
• Low-maintenance lifestyles mean
attendees in 2018.
the number of new trees being • Tree-retention development
planted is not sufficient to replace concessions
the canopy being removed. Has granted variations to
planning requirements to enable
• The value and benefits of canopy
tree retention above minimum
cover are poorly understood by
requirements.
the community
22What else will we do?
Leafy Neighbourhoods Program
• Significant Tree Register and • Urban forest engagement • Tree-friendly infrastructure
services Increase opportunities for subsidy
Enable residents to voluntarily community participation in Provide financial support for
register trees on their land. Assist tree-themed events, activities, materials and technologies
residents to maintain, manage programs, workshops and training. which enable tree retention,
and care for registered trees. planting and growth.
• Urban forest awareness
• Free Tree Scheme campaign • Tree-friendly builder/developer
Expand the scheme, prioritise Build community awareness of Showcase examples of tree
low canopy suburbs, diversify the value and benefits of trees retention during development
the range of trees available, and canopy cover. to inspire others and create
and provide quick growing cultural norms.
and habitat species.
Tree-Friendly Development • Arborist advice service
• Your Tree Portal Program Provide professional assistance
Enable residents to obtain • Development support service to retain and care for trees during
estimated valuations for Provide information and development on private land.
their trees. professional services to identify • Tree-friendly development guide
• Rewards and incentives options for tree retention, planting Provide advice on tree-friendly
Recognise and reward tree and canopy growth when planning design, construction, materials
planting and retention, and a development. and technologies in private
investigate mechanisms to offer • Canopy offsets development projects.
rates discounts for canopy cover. Investigate ‘no net loss’ • Planning controls
• Tree-friendly neighbours canopy offset requirements for Review and revise all City
Investigate mechanisms to notify development and demolition via planning controls, policies
tree owners of developments on additional plantings or financial and processes to maximise
neighbours’ land. contributions to urban forest opportunities for tree retention
programs. on private land.
• Arborist advice service
Professional advice around tree • Tree retention through land • Tree canopy in car parks
safety and perceived risk. changes Increase canopy cover, improve
Investigate mechanisms to growing environments and prohibit
• Community Tree Champions require tree retention when land alternatives to trees for ground-
Recognise and celebrate is rezoned or subdivided. level car parks.
community action.
• Review LPP 6.11 • Room to grow
• Urban forest education Update to achieve improved Increase separation between
More information and workshops outcomes. trees and infrastructure,
on how to select, plant, prune,
review site coverage and
maintain and care for trees.
hardscape permitted, implement
consistent requirements across
all land types.
Urban Forest Plan 2019 | 23Action area 3 – Government
Key challenges What else will we do?
• Residential Design Codes for Government Advocacy Program
single and grouped dwelling
developments do not require • Better urban forest guidelines • Tree-lined streets
soft landscaping, deep root zones, Advocate for State guidelines to Work with Main Roads WA to
tree retention or tree planting. become mandatory requirements. increase plantings on medians
and verges and reduce
• The City is unable to prevent tree • Code of conduct
unnecessary clearing.
removal on State Government Require that utility companies
land but is often blamed when protect street trees from damage • Develop partnerships
it occurs. and undertake replacement Support collaborations which
plantings when removal is enable planting by third parties
• Tree removal as a result of unavoidable due to essential on State Government land.
land use and planning decisions public works.
made by other regulatory • State-wide tree consideration
authorities is often incorrectly • Canopy offsets Work with the Department of
blamed on the City. Facilitate canopy replacement Planning to amend the R-codes
planting by public works agencies and embed tree retention and tree
• Street trees are damaged or and utility companies when tree planting requirements in State
removed by public works agencies removal is unavoidable during planning policies.
and utility companies. public works.
• Power-line pruning
• Local government support Advocate to Western Power for
What is the City Advocate for Western Australian alternative approaches to power-
Local Government Association line clearance pruning.
already doing? (WALGA) to adopt a policy
• Perth urban forest network
• Canopy advocacy position around urban forest
Establish networking groups and
Tree retention and planting issues and support for local
forums to share knowledge and
requested of State agencies government.
develop a cohesive approach to
and departments.
• Tree-friendly subdivision local government advocacy.
• Parks Manager forum Work with the Western Australian
City chairs forum of local Planning Commission (WAPC)
government parks managers. to increase tree retention and
protection.
• Knowledge sharing
City developed a tree planting
and canopy retention modelling
tool and shared it with other local
governments to improve canopy
planning for the future, and
delivered presentations at
industry events on actions and
Power-line pruning by Western Power
successes to date.
24Monitoring canopy loss Loss of canopy and vegetation Growth of canopy and vegetation
Action area 4 – Monitoring,
Research and Communications
• Raising awareness
Key challenges What is the City Highlighting challenges faced and
• There is little existing knowledge already doing? future implications of business as
and research on urban forestry usual, among peak industries and
• Canopy mapping State agencies.
topics specific to the Perth
Mapping canopy through annual
context, and information which
aerial monitoring since 2012
exists is not widely shared.
to detect and quantify canopy What else will we do?
• Monitoring of tree retention changes.
and planting on private land Growing Knowledge Program
• Canopy analysis
is logistically challenging. • Canopy mapping and analysis
Modelling future implications of
Monitor development-required tree
• There is a lack of coordination current canopy loss and planting
retention and planting.
in approaches to urban forest trends.
issues between stakeholders. • Loss audit
• Tree valuations
Require documentation of
Conducting financial valuations
tree removal during demolition
of street trees since 2012 using
and development, and during
Helliwell and iTree valuation
City projects.
methods.
• Citizen science
• Urban forest reporting
Support community-based
Reporting canopy changes
research and data collection by
in the City’s annual reports
local residents including through
since 2014.
Tree Carers Program.
• University partnerships
• Knowledge sharing
Undertaking research and
Foster networks between
building knowledge on urban
academics, stakeholders,
forest issues leading to the
other local governments.
publication of journal articles.
Urban Forest Plan 2019 | 25Implementation timeframe
2019 2020 2021 2019 2020 2021
Project / Activity /20 /21 /22 Project / Activity /20 /21 /22
Million Trees Program Tree-Friendly Development Program
Footpath maintenance Development support service
Room to grow Tree-friendly builders/developers
Street tree loss audit Tree canopy in car parks
Street Tree Master Plan Arborist advice service
Urban forest health Review LPP6.11
Priority plantings Tree-friendly infrastructure subsidy
City tree management Tree-friendly development guide
New planting spaces Planning controls
Street tree protection Tree retention through land changes
Tree-Friendly Infrastructure Program Room to grow
Infrastructure Innovation Fund Canopy offset
Urban forest education for City staff Government Advocacy Program
Canopy offsets and targets Tree-friendly subdivision
Underground Power Tree-lined streets
Water-sensitive urban design Develop partnerships
Protecting planting spaces Better urban forest guidelines
Tree-friendly infrastructure standards Code of conduct
Green Asset Register Canopy offsets
Leafy Neighbourhoods Program Local government support
Urban Forest Plan launch State-wide tree consideration
Free Tree Scheme Power line pruning
Community Tree Champions Perth urban forest network
Urban forest education Growing Knowledge Program
Urban forest engagement Canopy mapping and analysis
Urban forest awareness Loss audit
Arborist advice service Knowledge sharing
Protected Tree Register University partnerships and citizen
science
Your Tree Portal
Tree support services
Rewards and incentives
Tree-friendly neighbours
Project developed and implemented Ongoing
26Urban Forest Plan 2019 | 27
Measuring our progress
Long-term canopy targets
To achieve our 18 per cent average canopy target, we have set long-term canopy targets for each of our land types to
ensure that the maximum benefits of our urban forest are realised.
City land Private land Tree health Diversity
Our vision Our vision Our vision Our vision
Streets and footpaths Every home is shaded Our urban forest is Our urban forest is
in residential and and cooled by at least healthy, achieves diverse and provides
shopping areas are one tree. maximum lifespan homes and food for
cool and shady. and canopy growth. wildlife.
Our targets Our target Our target Our target
• All available verge 10 per cent canopy 90 per cent of City Each suburb’s urban
spaces which can cover on residential trees are assessed forest contains no
accommodate trees land (currently as being in good more than
are planted by 2040. 8.4 per cent). health. • 30 per cent of its
• 40 per cent canopy trees from any family
cover and shade on • 20 per cent of its
verges (currently 18 trees from any genus
per cent). • 10 per cent of its
trees from any
species.
City land Private land
Our vision Our vision:
Parks and natural Car parking bays
areas have twice as are shaded by tree
much canopy as they canopy.
do now.
Our targets Our targets
40 per cent canopy 60 per cent canopy
cover in parks and cover over new
reserves (currently car parks within
23 per cent). 20 years.
Short-term measures
A number of short-term measures Tree-Friendly Infrastructure • Number of residents accessing
will be tracked annually for the next Program urban forest resources, services,
three years and used to determine • The total number of actual and engagement and education
the likely success in achieving our potential street trees does not activities
long-term canopy targets through decrease • Number of trees planted on
an incentives-based approach to
• Percentage of street trees private land
tree retention.
needing to be planted in less
Tree-Friendly Development
Urban Forest Plan than 9m2 space
Program
• Rate of significant canopy loss Leafy Neighbourhood Program • Number of Development
Million Trees Program • Number of residents who register Applications where at least
• Number of trees planted on their trees on the protected tree one tree is retained
verges and in City reserves register
• Number of street trees lost for
development-related reasons
28The City’s aerial canopy imagery
Lack of canopy on a typical Doubleview street after development. Street tree height is constrained by overhead
power lines, and only mature trees on undeveloped blocks have canopy 12m and above.
The City’s aerial canopy imagery Vegetation 0m – 3m high Canopy 3 – 12m high Canopy 12m + high
Urban Forest Plan 2019 | 29Conclusion
Our Urban Forest Plan is the first In relation to trees on private land, considered, if and when they are
step in a long journey towards based on extensive community needed. It is vital that the City of
increasing our tree canopy. Action feedback, the City of Stirling has Stirling’s community embraces the
is required to address the challenges chosen to take an incentivised and opportunities presented and takes
identified on City-controlled land, on supportive approach. The City will positive action to preserve and
private land and on land controlled offer support to assist community enhance our urban forest for
by the State Government. members to make positive changes to ourselves and for future generations.
the way that they manage their land,
The City has committed to reviewing
their trees and their developments,
its own policies and processes, to
in order to increase the retention of
embrace new opportunities and
existing trees and the planting of
ways of operating, to engage with its
new trees
community and stakeholders, and to
lead by example in order to achieve The success of this course of
the best possible outcomes for trees action will be carefully monitored
on City land. and alternative courses of actionApril 2019
Administration Centre 25 Cedric Street Stirling WA 6021
Telephone (08) 9205 8555 | Enquiries www.stirling.wa.gov.au/enquiries | Web www.stirling.wa.gov.au | /citystirlingwa
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