Urban Forest Strategy

Urban forest is a population of trees and vegetation growing within an urban setting for the purpose of improving the liveability of that urban setting whilst providing social, economic and environmental benefits to the community as a whole.

To maintain, preserve and protect our urban forest we face many challenges. Some of these include:

• pathogen management
• public perception and perceived risks
• limited influence on private land
• competing priorities with utility providers
• changing urban environmental conditions
• ongoing budget constraints
• climate change including temperature changes & water availability
• available space to plant
• requirement to increase urban density 

In order to appropriately address these issues and challenges, it is crucial that the city establish a holistic urban forest strategy to guide in the planned, systematic and integrated approach

The City of Kalamunda is well known for its bushland, forests, parks and leafy streets. To maintain and enhance these benefits to the community, economy and environment, the City aspires to achieve a target overall urban canopy cover across the City of 30% by 2043. This target aligns with international best practice targets for canopy cover. Broadly, the goals of the UFS are based on the pillars to Protect, Grow, Engage, and Investigate. This provides a holistic and strategic approach to achieving our aspirational target.

A large portion of the City's urban forest occurs on private land. The UFS seeks to encourage landowners to retain and plant trees on their land that will contribute to the City's urban forest and allow the community to enjoy the many benefits it provides. It is noted that existing trees on private land may be protected under State Government legislation, such as the Environmental Protection Act 1986 or the Planning and Development Act 2005. The UFS does not impose any additional restrictions on landowners, however encourages them to contribute to the protection, enhancement and management of the City's urban forest.

The urban heat island effect  occurs when vegetation is replaced with surfaces that absorb and retain heat (e.g. bitumen, concrete and brick buildings). Unshaded roads and buildings absorb heat during the day and radiate that heat into the surrounding air. As a result, unshaded urban areas  tend to be several degrees hotter than vegetated areas, particularly in summer.

Urban forests are a successful way of reducing the urban heat island effect. Trees provide shade and cool the surrounding air, helping to reduce maximum summer temperatures.

Yes. The UFS includes and action for the City to undertake tree planting in City managed streets and parks. This planting will be prioritised based on a number of factors, including targeting the areas with the lowest existing canopy cover and the most vulnerable to urban heat island effect.