WATCA - WA Tree Canopy Advocates

Housing AND Trees. Is that too much to ask? #treeprotection #sustainabledevelopment #liveabledevelopment #canopycrisis #communityconsultation #treesmatter #treesforthefuture #WATCA

Tree Protection is gaining momentum in WA. While the State Government is refusing to act, many Councils are now bypassing them and moving to adopt the WA Local Government Association (WALGA) Tree Retention Local Planning Policy (LPP). Is your Council on this list? If not, ask them why not. After all, we have a Canopy Crisis; we cannot afford to lose any more of our large healthy trees needlessly. Adopted LPP - City of Nedlands - Town of Bassendean About to vote on adoption of LPP - Shire of Peppermint Grove Advertising LPP - Town of Cambridge Preparing LPP - City of Bayswater - City of Cockburn - City of Fremantle - City of Rockingham #treeprotection #canopycrisis #urbanforest #liveablecity #healthycity #sustainablecity #urbanheat #WATCA

Planting trees around your home adds 💲💲💲value. It’s hard to quantify exactly, but this US article suggests they can add 10 to 20 percent. Just another reason to keep the trees you have and plant more. #lovetrees #protecttrees #planttrees #WATCA #treebenefits

Treemendous News 🌳🌳🌳 Last Tuesday the Bassendean Council unanimously voted to adopt a Tree Retention Local Planning Policy. This means that on zoned land in the Town of Bassendean development approval will now be required for the removal of a large tree. In doing this the Bassendean Council has recognised that achieving its 30% canopy target, as well as maintaining a connected tree canopy across the area, cannot be accomplished without the preservation of mature trees on private property.  After all, we know that this is where 80% of canopy loss in Perth is happening. The Admin's report indicates that in most cases it is considered that a balance between development and tree retention can be achieved. But the Town intends to take a pragmatic approach to development applications where a regulated tree prohibits the site from being developed for a dwelling (e.g. if the regulated tree is located in the centre of the site). This is sensible, this is what happens in other States and this is what WATCA - WA Tree Canopy Advocates is calling for. Well done Bassendean Council, this is leadership and a huge win for your community, now and into the future. #treeprotection #treeretention #treecanopy #canopycrisis #Bassendean #leadership #sustainablecities #liveablecities #healthycities #urbanheatisland #WATCA #votetrees #climatechangemitigation #climatechangeadaptation

GOOD NEWS: The Cambridge Council is the latest Council looking to adopt a Tree Retention Local Planning Policy to protect large mature trees. Sadly it might be a little too late for this magnificent 400 year old Tuart. The WA State Government has blocked Planning Scheme Amendments to protect trees on private land (where we lose 80% of our canopy), but the WALGA Tree Retention Local Planning Policy Template offers the next best option. Is your Council protecting the large trees in your neighbourhood? Go ahead and ask them. The WALGA Policy Template is an “off the shelf” template that’s been developed by local government experts and is backed by legal advice. We have a Canopy Crisis, we need protections for our large healthy trees NOW! #Treecanopycrisis #UrbanTrees #shotholeborer  #urbanheatisland #treeprotections #climateadaptation #WATCA #WALGA #perthtrees #voteTREES #canopy #treecanopy

So far more than 18 football fields of canopy cover have been chopped down across Perth as part of the WA Government's attempts to eradicate the Polyphagous Shot Hole Borer. But despite this the quarantine area continues to grow. Better communication is critical with so many of the public still unaware of the Borer and the quarantine restrictions in place. But we've spoken with experts in biosecurity and tree canopy data capture and they're all saying the same thing: WA must stop chopping down trees as the first and only move and transition to a Management Phase. We need to focus on early detection using aerial remote sensing and AI, and understanding how the borer is behaving HERE in WA. We simply can’t afford to lose any more trees unless we absolutely have to. And while we're at it, can the WA Government set a Tree Canopy Target for the love of our kids’ futures!? #Treecanopycrisis #shotholeborer #voteTREES #canopy #treecanopy #perthtrees #climatecrisis #canopytarget #urbanforest #sustainablecities #liveablecities #healthycities #treestress

Simple 🌳🌳🌳

No Perth metro canopy data has been released by the State since 2020. We are told 2024 data is on its way, and we are trying to be patient, but fortunately in the absence of this data some LGAs are collecting their own. Most recently it has been revealed that the City of Bayswater's canopy cover has declined to 14% while the City of Stirling's canopy cover has remained static at 12%. In both cases this is well below the minimum 30% canopy cover required to deliver positive community health and wellbeing benefits and critical urban cooling. Despite tree planting programs on City managed land in both LGAs, the loss of trees on private and State owned land has meant no gains overall. The City of Stirling has reported an alarming loss of 135.5ha of canopy cover on residential land in the last 10 years. Both LGAs have canopy targets that they have next to no chance of reaching without protections for large trees on private land as per other States. The City of Stirling has indicated it has no credible path to reach its less than ideal target of 18% by 2040. Yet despite this, the City of Stirling has recommended that its Council not adopt the WALGA Tree Retention Local Planning Policy, but rather adopt a wait and see approach for the next 12 months and lobby the State Govt to adopt statewide tree protections. This buck passing approach between the State and some LGAs is taking us backwards fast. With our summers getting hotter and longer and the impacts of the Polyphagous Shot Hole Borer growing at an alarming rate, what Perth and our regional centres need most is leadership from our decisionmakers. We urgently need meaningful action so that our neighbourhoods are healthy and livable for our children. We urgently need: ✅Tree Protections like every other State; and ✅an Urban Canopy Target like every other Capital City. #liveablecities #sustainablecities #treeprotections #canopytarget #urbanforest #urbanheatisland #WATCA City of Stirling (Western Australia) City of Bayswater Department of Planning, Lands and Heritage WA Local Government Association (WALGA) Roger Cook Reece Whitby John Carey MLA

Trees can reduce urban heat by up to 8ºC 🤯 In built-up areas with less trees, the surroundings can reach high temperatures 🌡️, making you feel hot and uncomfortable. Under the trees, however, you can feel the difference immediately through their cooling shade! Trees can lower temperatures through canopy shade and evapotranspiration 🍃 (absorbing water through their roots and releasing it as vapor through their leaves). ☀️ With more and more hot UK summers, we need to protect existing mature trees and plant new trees! Learn more: https://lnkd.in/eBHPJ2uj

Trees are a no-brainer. Time for our State Government to catch up! Yes plant more trees, but the first critical step is to value and protect the ones we already have. #treeprotections #canopycrisis #urbanheatislands #sustainablecities #livablecities #healthycities #climatechangemitigation #WATCA Department of Planning, Lands and Heritage Roger Cook Reece Whitby John Carey MLA