Urban Forest Strategy

In Canning’s hot, dry summers, trees are essential infrastructure for keeping our streets, parks and homes liveable.

Making Canning greener, cooler and more liveable

Trees are Canning’s largest living assets. They provide shade, cool the air, support wildlife, and give streets, parks and neighbourhoods character. A healthy urban forest helps our community stay comfortable during WA’s hot summers and improves wellbeing for everyone.

Heatwaves and urban heat

A heatwave is three or more consecutive days of unusually high temperatures, often with warm nights that give little relief. In Western Australia, these events are becoming more frequent, hotter and longer.

Urban areas feel the heat more because roads, roofs and paved surfaces absorb and store warmth. This keeps streets hotter than the surrounding suburbs - a phenomenon called the urban heat island effect.

How trees help

Trees help reduce urban heat by:

• providing natural cooling and comfort
• providing shade for streets, parks and public spaces
• lowering surface and air temperatures in urban areas
• supporting wildlife and biodiversity.

A tree-lined street can be several degrees cooler than an unshaded one, making the difference between a comfortable walk or bike ride and an unpleasant, unsafe journey. They also improve neighbourhood character and wellbeing!

Our goals

Through the Urban Forest Strategy (PDF 28MB), our key goals are to:

• Grow a healthy, diverse and resilient tree canopy.
• Prioritise shade where people walk, wait and gather.
• Protect mature trees while planning for future growth.
• Ensure all suburbs benefit from tree cover.

How you can help

• Welcome a street tree in front of your property.
• Care for young trees during hot, dry periods.
• Protect existing trees during landscaping or building works.
• Design to retain trees when redeveloping.
• Register a significant tree.

Policy and strategy framework

The City of Canning Urban Forest Strategy (PDF 28MB) is the guiding document for growing, protecting, and managing trees across the city.

It is supported by related strategies and policies:

• Local Biodiversity Strategy (PDF 4MB)
• Water Management Strategy (PDF 14MB)
• Environment Management Strategy (PDF 15MB)
• Management of Trees in Streets, Thoroughfares and Public Open Space (ET525) (PDF 100KB)
• Climate Ready Canning

Together, these ensure Canning’s urban forest continues to grow, thrive and provide lasting benefits to the community