FAQs

Urban forest is a population of trees and vegetation growing within an urban setting for the purpose of improving the livability of that urban setting whilst providing social, economic and environmental benefits to the community as a whole.

To maintain, preserve and protect our urban forest we face many challenges. Some of these include:

• pathogen management
• public perception and perceived risks
• limited influence on private land
• competing priorities with utility providers
• changing urban environmental conditions
• ongoing budget constraints
• climate change including temperature changes and water availability
• available space to plant
• requirement to increase urban density
   In order to appropriately address these issues and challenges, it is crucial that the city establish a holistic urban forest strategy to guide in the planned, systematic and integrated approach to managing the City’s urban forest.

Urban forest is a population of trees and vegetation growing within an urban setting for the purpose of improving the livability of that urban setting whilst providing social, economic and environmental benefits to the community as a whole.

The draft Urban Forest Strategy and feedback form are available to view electronically in the project document library. Hard copies are also available to view at the City Administration Building and from City libraries.

The City of Kalamunda is well known for its bushland, forests, parks and leafy streets. The draft Urban Forest Strategy outlines 11 key objectives with 38 actionable that aim to maintain and protect the City's urban forest.

Swan Coastal Plain Area

• Increase canopy cover to an average of 20% with no net loss based on the 2018 baseline within residential lots and road reserves by 2028.
• Maintain current canopy cover within parks and reserves
• Retain at least 20% canopy cover within areas earmarked for, but yet to undergo, urban development
• Increase canopy cover in industrial areas to an average of 5 to 10% based on 2018 baseline by 2028

Darling Scarp Area

• Maintain overall canopy coverage with no net loss based on the 2018 baseline
• Increase canopy coverage in areas with less than 20% canopy cover (including the Kalamunda Town Centre)
• Increase canopy cover in industrial areas to an average of 5 to 10% based on 2018 baseline by 2028

Darling Plateau Area

• Maintain overall canopy coverage with no net loss based on the 2018 baseline

To achieve the goals to maintain and increase the City’s urban forest canopy cover an action plan has been developed. High priority actions should be implemented within two years, medium priority within five years and low priority actions within 10 years.

The two-month community consultation period closes on 29 January 2021. Feedback and suggestions will be reviewed, updates made and the final draft will go before Council for adoption in Q1 2021.

From there it is hoped that the adopted Urban Forest Strategy will be available on the City's website for download mid-2021.