Commitment to an ‘Urban Greening Strategy’ for Perth

10 February 2024

The WA Government has committed to developing a new 'Urban Greening Strategy' to promote and enhance tree canopy and greening across the Perth and Peel region. 

All Western Australians can get involved in supporting urban greening in their own yards, street and neighbourhood, and you can have your say on the development of the strategy by Friday 7 June 2024. Details via link here: Perth and Peel Urban Greening Strategy (www.wa.gov.au) 

The peak body for the architecture profession in Western Australia, the Australian Institute of Architects (the Institute) WA Chapter, represented by State President Sandy Anghie, welcomed the State Government’s commitment to developing an “Urban Greening Strategy” as announced this week.

“Tree canopies and landscape are critical to the quality of streetscapes and our urban experience. As we move to greater density in our city and suburbs we must ensure an even greater focus on urban greening - maintaining and building on both our tree canopies and landscape,” Ms Anghie said.

“This will help manage the urban heat island effect in our city and suburbs.”

“In our city, increasing tree canopy within the public realm provides shade for pedestrians and reduces the urban heat island effect.”

“In our suburbs, the benefit of homes that are more sustainably designed - with a greater focus on landscape and tree canopy - is that the home will maintain a more comfortable internal temperature. This means less reliance on mechanical cooling and less energy used. So owners and tenants will save money on operational costs in the long term, helping with the rising cost of living.”

“Australia currently has the largest homes in the world, and WA among the largest homes in the country - with new houses over 40% bigger than they were 40 years ago. We need to move to smaller, more sustainable homes – with a greater focus on landscape and tree canopy.”

“Architects are currently leading the way in WA, showing how beautiful, high quality spaces can be achieved on a tight sites with environmentally sensitive designs.”

“We look forward to working with the Government on this strategy. We hope that the State Government’s new Urban Greening Strategy will build on the themes in the recently announced new Draft Medium Density Code. In particular: incentivised retention of mature trees, and optimising the quality of outdoor spaces and gardens.”

The Australian Institute of Architects in WA shares the State Government’s view that increasing urban tree canopy is paramount and for this reason commends its commitment to the development of the new Strategy.

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Read the State Government announcement here:
Greening Perth's urban communities (www.wa.gov.au)

Property Tribune story here:
Cook Government unveils fresh state-led strategy to ‘green’ Perth | The Property Tribune

And the Business News story here:
Urban greenery focus in new strategy (businessnews.com.au)