Prior to the state election, WA Labor promised to almost double Perth's tree canopy from 16 to 30 per cent by 2040. It also promised to plant one million trees, including through a rebate scheme for private properties. The government is yet to release a plan on how it will meet these targets, but says it hopes to by the end of the year.
00:07The first tree canopy situation is dire at the moment.
00:11And suburbs with low canopy cover truly suffer and it becomes an equity and a health issue.
00:16Ahead of the March state election, WA Labor pledged to plant a million new trees here in Australia's least leafy capital,
00:25allocating nearly $17 million to the program.
00:29But the ABC understands the government's been advised that that funding may result in fewer than 130,000 new trees,
00:37well short of the $1 million promised.
00:39The state government you will see be making more commitments into the future on tree canopy.
00:44Labor also promised to double Perth's tree canopy from 16% to 30% by 2040.
00:51But it's since changed the way tree canopy is calculated to include rural areas that could be developed in future.
00:59Meaning the goal is now to go from 22 to 30%.
01:03Environmental consultant Paul Barber believes the canopy targets can't be achieved without introducing regulations to protect mature trees on private property.
01:13If we continue to do what we're doing, so we plan the way we're planning, we had the lack of protection for trees on private property, we just won't get there.
01:21The Minister is against tougher laws, leaving local governments to set their own policies.
01:27We need more housing development, and so we're trying to cut red tape around that, but also that we do need more canopy.
01:36Protecting trees and delivering houses are not in any way mutually exclusive.
01:40Taking matters into her own hands, ecologist Greg Coupland is planting so-called pocket forests at schools across Perth.
01:48So get the roots and just gently tease them apart like this.
01:51Heat in our cities is a silent killer.
01:53A reminder about the sanctity of shade as we head into summer.
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