In 2020 Council undertook a comprehensive audit on the number of trees and levels of canopy cover for its three Activity Centres in Dandenong, Springvale and Noble Park.
The data was used to develop a 10-year Activity Centre’s Tree Planting Plan to increase street tree plantings, canopy coverage and reduce the negative heat island effect.
Trees and shade are of high importance to the community because they contribute to; comfort and staying power of key public spaces, health and wellbeing, perceptions of safety, walkability, public amenity, environmental sustainability, urban development and responses to climate emergencies.
The Activity Centres have the highest levels of pedestrian activity across the municipality. They also have intensified development and therefore increasing and sustaining tree canopy cover requires a dedicated approach.
