Greater Dandenong City Council is on track to achieve its target of increasing tree canopy coverage from 9.9% in 2016 to 15% in 2028.
The latest audit, received by councillors at their meeting last night showed growth of .5% since 2023, to 14.6%
Greater Dandenong Mayor, Cr Sophie Tan said although this increase may seem modest, Council was exceeding its tree planting targets and strategically planting for impact.
With climate change driving temperatures up, more shade is needed in built-up areas to protect people from extreme heat – or the ‘heat island effect’.
“Planting trees where they will have the greatest impact is a key focus of the Our Bright Green Future Strategy 2026-36, adopted at our meeting last night,” Mayor Tan said.
Over the next two years, Council will actively collect data to complete an urban heat island map by 2028.
“This will inform our future planting; in the meantime, we’re already making great progress in built-up areas,” the Mayor said.
“Our target is planting 2000 street trees each year and we have planted more than 31,000 since 2014. This doesn’t include the many additional trees planted in parks and open spaces or as part of the capital works program.”
Council has a 10-year planting program in place for the three major activity centres in Dandenong, Springvale and Noble Park.
“You may have already seen our planting as part of the Ian Street, Leonard Avenue, Frank Street and Springvale Road Boulevard projects. Around 580 street trees were planted in Noble Park alone last winter.”
In 2018, Council introduced new planning rules requiring developers to plant additional trees for new residential developments and they’re paying off.
“These trees are now becoming canopy trees and improving the liveability of these new homes through reduced house temperatures and energy bills,” the Mayor added.
Council is encouraging residents to plant more trees on private land through education programs and festivals, including the Sustainability Festival coming up at Dandenong Market this Sunday.
“We recently gave away 13,000 plants to local households, including to residents in the green wedge. In fact, over 22,000 indigenous plants were planted in revegetation projects across Greater Dandenong in the 2024-25 financial year.
“With 73% of land privately owned, success depends on the whole community.”
Our Bright Green Future Strategy 2026-36 will be launched in coming weeks. Visit yoursay.greaterdandenong.vic.gov.au/our-bright-green-future for more information.