Urban Forest Strategy
Council is working to ensure a greener Maribyrnong through our Urban Forest Strategy.
Council has adopted the Maribyrnong Urban Forest Strategy following extensive community consultation during 2018.
The Strategy will plan for the City's vegetation, trees and plants to ensure they are suitable and to maximise social, environmental and economic benefits to our community. The Strategy outlines the following seven objectives for the urban forest and sets a target of increasing canopy cover in the public realm to 20% by 2040.
Our Objectives
- Increase tree canopy on public land
- Adapt to climate change and maximise environmental outcomes
- Raise awareness and improve advocacy
- Improve outcomes for trees on private land
- Maximise community health and wellbeing outcomes
- Support and enhance our local biodiversity
- Streamline Council's processes and monitor progress
The full Urban Forest Strategy can now be downloaded.
Did you know trees do more than just provide shade and reduce pollution? Here are some of the lesser-known benefits of trees:
- Improved mental health from exposure to natural environments and lower levels of stress and anxiety.
- Improved real and perceived community safety in public areas.
- Safer streets as uniform, avenue like plantings along streets encourage motorists to drive slower.
- Improved retail activity by up to 20%. Shoppers spend longer and more money in retail areas that are well treed and landscaped.