Page 731 - Week 03 - Wednesday, 31 March 2021
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just-released Urban Forest Strategy all have the right values and targets in place. This includes the 30 per cent tree canopy cover target—happily, the same threshold that results in the considerable mental and physical health benefits that I mentioned earlier.
As the policies state, to meet these targets we need to “enhance and maintain” our urban forest. In other words, we need to plant more trees as well as keep and look after the healthy ones we already have. I commend and thank those who have contributed to creating and refining these documents, be it through advocacy, research, policy advice or providing comments through consultation. I also want to take the time to thank everyone who has worked tirelessly to protect and enhance our urban forest, whether it is through mulching, planting, watering or laying the groundwork for the implementation of this ambitious policy framework.
A target in a glossy brochure is all well and good, but now we need to drive real increases in the tree canopy cover target across Canberra’s suburbs, particularly in those suburbs which have the lowest levels of tree canopy cover. That is why I am looking for certainty and clarity about who is going to do what heavy lifting to get us up to that 30 per cent target, starting with the most vulnerable and poorly covered suburbs.
What contribution is our planning system going to make? Is 15 per cent really enough? With the upcoming opportunities to make real and welcome changes through the planning review, we shall see. How are we going to ensure compliance and enforcement to avoid any further tragic losses to our urban forest? What contributions are our communities and volunteers going to make, and how are we going to support them with stable, secure and sufficient funding, and easy, accessible and responsive approval processes? What contributions are private leaseholders and developers going to make, and with what safeguards and incentives? How are we going to efficiently and effectively report on our progress? How are we going to ensure that our tree canopy cover is equitable, so that we do not create tree-rich and tree-poor suburbs?
The 30 per cent target applies across the entire urban footprint, increasing the risk of inequities, where one suburb may have 45 per cent cover whilst another suburb may have only one per cent. This is unfair, unsafe and unhealthy. Whilst there are some suburbs such as industrial areas which do not need to reach 30 per cent, I call on the government to apply the 30 per cent target to each and every residential suburb. Also, I would like to know how we plan to get there.
Significantly, we must confront where our planning system has not allowed for enough existing trees or room for new trees to be developed around new houses and developments. I want to draw attention to the critical importance of getting the planning right, especially in the context of a justifiably cynical public after many disappointing outcomes. In addition, the ACT government cannot achieve these goals on their own. They require action on public and private land and will therefore be heavily reliant on collaboration and connection between ministers, First Nations and traditional owner individuals and organisations, land managers, directorates, professionals, community organisations and volunteers.
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