WHEN it comes to urban tree cover, Cowes and Inverloch are the standout towns in Bass Coast with 32 and 30 per cent tree cover respectively on public and private land. San Remo is the most barren, with just 14 per cent tree cover.
The council’s draft Urban Forest Strategy, released for community comment just before Christmas, sets out a plan to protect and grow the shire’s urban forest with a target of a 40 per cent tree canopy coverage by 2040, with a minimum 25 per cent for every neighbourhood.
Urban forests include all trees and vegetation in an urban area, including street trees, nature strips, parks, open space as well as backyards, industrial areas and conservation sites.
The council’s draft Urban Forest Strategy, released for community comment just before Christmas, sets out a plan to protect and grow the shire’s urban forest with a target of a 40 per cent tree canopy coverage by 2040, with a minimum 25 per cent for every neighbourhood.
Urban forests include all trees and vegetation in an urban area, including street trees, nature strips, parks, open space as well as backyards, industrial areas and conservation sites.
Under the strategy, the council has committed to planting 1500 trees annually – an increase of approximately 1200 trees a year on the current program. The plan favours species that will adapt to the area’s changing climate, particularly native and indigenous vegetation.
In addition, the council will compile a detailed tree inventory, continue to support tree protection mechanisms and develop a Street and Park Tree Protection and Removal Policy with clear protocols for tree protection.
In addition, the council will compile a detailed tree inventory, continue to support tree protection mechanisms and develop a Street and Park Tree Protection and Removal Policy with clear protocols for tree protection.
Download the strategy Research for the strategy shows that Bass Coast is coming off a fairly high base of tree cover, well ahead of other comparable shires including Casey, Cardinia, Geelong, Shepparton, Mornington Peninsula and Frankston.
However, Bass Coast Mayor Michael Whelan said the shire’s existing urban forest was under increasing pressure from development and climate change and the best defence was to grow the urban forest.
“While most of our townships enjoy a decent amount of greenery, with an average of 25 per cent urban forest cover across our largest townships, we can’t afford to take that for granted. Today’s urban forest faces some serious threats such as climate change and urban development.
“Our urban forest already delivers so many benefits. As it grows it will play a critical role in capturing carbon, providing habitat for our birds and wildlife. And let’s not underestimate the health and wellbeing benefits trees and gardens bring by cooling our urban environment and providing a connection with nature.
“We hope our community and landholders will embrace our vision for urban greening and grow the urban forest on their land too.”
The council will take public comment on the strategy until February 20. The final strategy will be released before June 2023.
However, Bass Coast Mayor Michael Whelan said the shire’s existing urban forest was under increasing pressure from development and climate change and the best defence was to grow the urban forest.
“While most of our townships enjoy a decent amount of greenery, with an average of 25 per cent urban forest cover across our largest townships, we can’t afford to take that for granted. Today’s urban forest faces some serious threats such as climate change and urban development.
“Our urban forest already delivers so many benefits. As it grows it will play a critical role in capturing carbon, providing habitat for our birds and wildlife. And let’s not underestimate the health and wellbeing benefits trees and gardens bring by cooling our urban environment and providing a connection with nature.
“We hope our community and landholders will embrace our vision for urban greening and grow the urban forest on their land too.”
The council will take public comment on the strategy until February 20. The final strategy will be released before June 2023.