Greening Whittlesea - City Forest Strategy 2020-2040
In April 2021, we adopted the Greening Whittlesea – City Forest Strategy.
This strategy sets out plans for the protection, growth and management of our trees and green cover as part of our commitment to the Whittlesea 2040 community goals of:
- sustainable environment
- liveable neighbourhoods
- connected communities.
Developed with input from a range of community, industry, academic and business stakeholders, the strategy aligns with other strategic work being undertaken by Council to reduce risk, increase Council’s resilience and deliver sustainable asset management.
Benefits
Our strategy will deliver a range of benefits for our residents, our fauna and our wider environment.
These benefits include:
- more shade
- increase in air quality
- cleaning and slowing stormwater flows
- positively impacting the physical and mental health of our residents
- providing habitat and food for our local fauna.
Key outcomes
The strategy outlines four key outcomes.
Protected
Our city forest is protected from building and subdivision activity.
Managed
Our city forest is planned and managed using up to date data and industry best practice.
Enhanced
Our city forest grows and thrives year on year.
Engaged
Our community and partners value trees and green cover and work together to improve our city forest.
Council is aiming for a 20% increase on the City’s existing green cover by 2040, starting in neighbourhoods that would achieve the biggest impact on heat islands, hot spots and liveability.