Council is proud to report that sustained efforts to plant more trees has paid off, with an increase in canopy tree cover across our city.
With climate change affecting our environment, increasing our tree coverage is one way to reduce the impact of increasing temperatures, reduced rainfall and the growing number of storm and bushfire events.
A recent audit of canopy cover in Greater Dandenong revealed the coverage has increased from just 9 per cent in 2018 to 14 per cent, which puts us on track to reach our goal of 15 per cent by 2028.
This increase is a result of significant efforts by Council and the community, including the planting of 20,000 semi-mature trees over the past 10 years. Mother nature also supported these plantings with generous rainfall coming at the right time.
For Council, this time of year is the start of planting season with new street and park trees, tube stock and regenerative planting all set to begin. Community planting days and the One Tree Per Child initiative will also return for 2024.
Council’s Urban Forest Strategy 2021-28 aims to create a healthy, green and resilient city that improves our resiliency to climate change and improves the health of our community.
By strategically planting more trees in locations of greatest need and advocating for greater quality landscaping and canopy trees on privately owned land, Council aims to increase our canopy cover to create more shade and habitat for wildlife.
Read more about the Urban Forest Strategy on our website.
