Perth’s Tree Canopy Goals Face Scrutiny as Funding and Methodology Come Under Fire
western Australia’s aspiring plan to considerably increase Perth’s urban tree canopy is facing mounting criticism, with experts questioning whether current funding levels and revised calculation methods will allow the state to meet its stated goals. Originally promising to nearly double canopy cover from 16% to 30% by 2040, the government is now grappling with concerns over progress and the effectiveness of its approach.
Prior to the state election, the WA labor party highlighted a commitment to plant a million trees, a pledge publicly promoted as a key environmental initiative. Though,the government recently announced a revised figure for Perth’s existing canopy cover,increasing it from 16% to 19.5%. This adjustment, achieved through a new calculation method that includes previously excluded areas like paddocks, has drawn sharp criticism.
One environmental advocate argued that “when you start counting paddocks as urban canopy, you’re not measuring progress you’re actually hiding the problem.” This sentiment reflects a broader concern that the government is prioritizing optics over genuine environmental betterment.
Western Australia’s Local Government Association (WALGA) expressed surprise at the increased canopy figure, particularly given the recent loss of nearly 5,000 trees due to the polyphagous shot-hole borer. “It doesn’t matter what figure we announce or come up with, we are living in a city that’s urban canopy is a disgrace,” stated WALGA president Karen Chapple.
Despite the concerns, Minister for Planning and Lands John Carey defended the new calculation method, asserting that the previous approach failed to account for rural areas potentially slated for future progress.He reiterated that the 30% target remains a “big, bold and ambitious” goal.
The government has allocated $16.9 million to programs aimed at planting one million trees by 2035, including a ‘tree-bate’ scheme offering incentives to homeowners. However, sources indicate this funding may only result in approximately 130,000 new trees, significantly short of the stated objective. Carey acknowledged that further policy announcements are forthcoming, hinting at a “rolling program” of initiatives.
Perth currently has the lowest tree canopy cover of any australian capital city, a critical issue given the benefits trees provide – lowering temperatures during extreme heat, improving public health, increasing property values, reducing energy costs, and supporting biodiversity.
The debate extends beyond planting efforts to the crucial issue of tree protection. Last year, Carey intervened to halt a scheme that would have enforced the protection of mature trees on private properties, arguing that such laws were controversial and impacted homeowners’ renovation plans. He believes a collaborative approach is necessary, stating, “We’ve got to take the community with us because…nothing stops a person just ripping out a tree any time.”
However, experts warn that an exclusively incentive-based approach is insufficient, particularly as nearly 80% of tree loss occurs on private land. Paul Barber, managing director of ArborCarbon, emphasized that “we’ll never be able to get to the 30 per cent target by 2040 just by planting trees.” He added, “If we continue to do what we are doing, plan the way we are planning, have the lack of protections for trees, and have the budgets that are available for planting trees, we just won’t get there.” Barber’s firm utilizes satellite imaging to monitor canopy cover and identifies poor planning practices as a key contributor to tree loss.
Carey acknowledged the challenges posed by the current housing crisis, stating the need to balance development with canopy expansion. WA Greens leader Brad Pettitt cautioned against prioritizing housing at the expense of green space, warning that the government risks creating “a bunch of unliveable, tree-less, hot housing in the wrong locations.”
Local governments are stepping in to address the issue, with WALGA developing a policy to protect mature trees on private land, currently adopted by seven local councils. The ongoing threat of the polyphagous shot-hole borer, which has already devastated thousands of trees across Western Australia, further underscores the urgency of the situation.
The liberal party, mirroring Labor’s stance, does not support blanket tree protection laws, instead advocating for more “realistic” targets set at the local government level. Carey indicated that the Perth and Peel Urban Greening Strategy, currently under development since early 2024, is expected to be released by the end of the year. The success of Perth’s urban greening efforts will ultimately depend on a thorough strategy that balances development needs with the critical importance of preserving and expanding its vital tree canopy.
