Inspired by ongoing climate change, the council unanimously passed detailed plans and strategies aimed at guiding the way decisions were made and boosting the quantity and quality of canopy cover of trees throughout the urban environment. The plans are currently open for public comment.
Lord Mayor of Sydney, Clover Moore, has argued that urban forests are extremely important to city living with trees able to cool parks, streets and homes while also improving physical and mental wellbeing. She added:
“We’ve planted more than 16,000 street trees since 2004 because we see trees and other urban greenery as essential infrastructure – as important as roads and broadband internet."
The city is among only a few councils to actively taking on the challenge to boost canopy cover, something it has been investing in for the past decade. The topic has also been well-covered via brochure printing campaigns instigated to make people more aware of the importance of trees within the urban environment.
The Lord Mayor said that according to experts, a more humid and hotter environment is expected to be the norm by 2050, which has guided tree selection which includes native and a variation of deciduous trees.
Residents have until 28 February to view and comment on draft plans which are currently on public exhibition.