The Urban Greening Grant Program, funded by the Department of Water and Environmental Regulation (DWER) in collaboration with the Western Australian Local Government Association (WALGA), seeks to expand tree canopy and vegetation in areas most impacted by the urban heat island effect. This initiative directly addresses climate change impacts, supports biodiversity, and enhances the liveability of neighbourhoods.
Approximately 120 native Australian trees will be planted on verges in the suburbs of High Wycombe, Forrestfield, Wattle Grove and parts of Maida Vale – areas most impacted by urban heat. Regular watering and maintenance will be carried out for 2-3 years after planting to support healthy growth and improve tree survival rates. For more information on the project or grant, visit the WALGA website: Urban Greening Grant Program | WALGA
It is anticipated the project will take approximately one (1) month to complete. Timeframes could vary slightly due to weather conditions and unforeseen delays. If you see City of Kalamunda staff working in your neighbourhood, feel free to come and say hello (as long as it’s safe to do so).
What is the value of the grant given to the City of Kalamunda?
The value of the grant is $35,612. Urban Greening Grant Program | WALGA
What is the urban heat island effect?
The urban heat island effect is when urban areas are warmer than the surrounding rural areas. This happens because these areas have lots of buildings, roads, and pavement that absorb and store heat from the sun. These surfaces release heat slowly, especially at night, so urban areas stay warmer even after the sun goes down. In contrast, rural areas have more trees, grass, and open land, which help cool the air by providing shade and releasing moisture. By planting more trees within our built-up suburbs, we can begin to mitigate urban heat impacts.
Is this program linked to the Annual Street Tree Planting Program?
This program is not associated with the Annual Street Tree Planting Program. If a resident who has requested a street tree happens to receive one through the Urban Greening Program, it is purely coincidental.
Can I request for a tree to be planted in front of my property?
Should residents wish to request a street tree or enquire about maintenance of street trees, please visit our webpage: Tree Service Request
When will staff and contractors be working in each suburb?
Staff and contractors plan to begin work in High Wycombe and work their way through the suburbs from there. As certain locations may present challenges to planting or digging – such as parked cars, underground services or site access issues – contractors and staff will work flexibly across all selected suburbs throughout the month.
What species of trees will be planted?
Where possible, native Western Australian (WA) species were selected; however, due to limited nursery stock availability, some non-WA-native species were also included. The full list is below:
Eucalyptus laeliae - Darling Range Ghost Gum
Eucalyptus lane-poolei - Salmon White Gum
Banksia grandis - Bull Banksia
Eucalyptus torquata - Coral Gum
Corymbia eximia "Nana" - Yellow Bloodwood
Eucalyptus todtiana - Coastal Blackbutt
Eucalyptus erythronema - Red-flowering Mallee
Eucalyptus erythrocorys - Red-capped gum
Eucalyptus drummondii - Drummond's gum
Will any roads be closed when contractors and staff commence work?
Roads will not be closed when our staff are out working and there will be no impact on local traffic.
Why are trees only being planted in High Wycombe, Forrestfield, Wattle Grove and Maida Vale?
These suburbs were selected because they are significantly more affected by the urban heat island effect compared to other areas within the City of Kalamunda. You can view the WA Urban Heat Map via PlanWA.
No images attached
No documents attached