Trees and other vegetation help to cool our townships during summer and in heat waves, reducing the risk of heatstroke and other heat related illnesses. They do this via shading from the sun and reducing heating of surfaces. Trees also transpire though photosynthesis, absorbing warmth and storing this, preventing an increase in air temperature around the tree.

Trees also provide many benefits in urban areas, such as absorbing air pollution, treating urban stormwater and reducing runoff. Growing and maintaining a healthy urban canopy captures and stores carbon, helping to mitigate climate change.

Trees and vegetation are important for Nillumbik’s biodiversity, our wildlife rely on trees and vegetation for food and shelter and the habitat links they create. Even in urban areas, threatened species persist in urban bushland reserves, Eltham Copper Butterfly and Rosella Spider-orchid, the urban forest creates sanctuaries for our iconic species.

Research has shown how easily accessible green spaces and trees have positive effects on people’s wellbeing, improving their mental health. Tree’s and green spaces are part of why people live in Nillumbik. They are part of the character of suburbs and foster community pride and connection.

Functionality aside, most people enjoy trees and green spaces for their aesthetic value, which is good for locals and tourists alike.

Nillumbik’s Urban Tree Canopy, also referred to as the Urban Forest comprises all of the trees and other vegetation in our urban area, across public and private land. It includes street and park trees but also trees and vegetation in backyards, along waterways, roads and railways, as well as those in industrial areas, shopping precincts and conservation areas.

The urban tree canopy plan will cover all parts of Nillumbik which are inside the Urban Growth Boundary (UGB). This will include the following suburbs or townships:

Diamond Creek, Hurstbridge, Research, Eltham, Eltham North, Greensborough, Panton Hill, Plenty, St Andrews, Wattle Glen.

Nillumbik already has one of the highest tree canopy covers of any metropolitan council.

The proposed Urban Tree Canopy Strategy will provide a strategic framework for action to help protect and enhance this tree coverage/extent and tree health across the urban areas of Nillumbik – focusing on:

• Private land (front and back yards etc) and
• Council land (parks, reserves, streets, activity centres)

A healthy urban tree canopy provides a range of environmental, health, cultural and economic benefits. For example, trees provide shade and shelter, improve air quality, absorb carbon and rainfall, cool local environments and support wildlife. They also create beautiful green, leafy neighbourhoods that encourage walking and physical activity.

Some of the challenges impacting our urban tree canopy include climate change, extreme weather events, bushfire threat and urban development and housing.