Tara Murray
Whittlesea’s green coverage is growing, according to a new report analysing urban canopies in municipalities across the country.
The ‘Where will all the trees be?’ report by Greener Spaces Better Places, found Whittlesea had 27.2 per cent coverage from trees and plants, an increase of three per cent since 2016.
In compassion, just 10 per cent of Hume has green coverage.
Wyndham was the worst ranked municipality in the nation for green coverage, achieving just 5.4 per cent.
The report praised Whittlesea council’s urban tree planting program, which sets out to protect existing trees and green cover and increase the number of trees in areas that will have the greatest impact on future liveability.
It said the council plants almost 8000 street trees every year and encourages local landowners to get involved and plant trees on private land.
“Urban greening is a real priority within this council, and the greening pipeline appears strong,” the report said.
The report showed concern about the capabilities of many municipalities’ ability to maintain green cover into the future.
Over the next decade, 67 per cent of urban places will face moderate to very high challenges to maintain or grow green cover.
Hume is one of 52 municipalities to rank in the high category. Whittlesea sits in the lower challenge category.
Tara Murray
