Councils to receive $3.75 million in support of urban greening

• Grant program to support urban greening throughout Perth and Peel regions
• Funding to be distributed through the Western Australian Local Government Association
• Urban canopies among most effective tools in combatting climate change

Local governments throughout the Perth and Peel regions are being encouraged to increase their urban tree and vegetation canopy as part of a $3.75 million grant program paid for by the State Government.

The developed 'Urban Greening Grants Program' will assist local governments to plant trees and understorey vegetation, increasing urban canopies in a bid to combat climate change.

Funding for the program has already been allocated to the Western Australian Local Government Association (WALGA) through an agreement with the Department of Water and Environmental Regulation, with WALGA managing and implementing the program.

Successful grant applicants for the program's first round will be finalised by the end of February. To read more, click here.

Comments attributed to Environment Minister Reece Whitby:

"Urban canopies can help fight climate change in several ways.

"They reduce heat island effect by providing shade and cool air, absorbing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and releasing oxygen, storing carbon in their biomass, and increasing rainfall retention, and reducing stormwater runoff - leading to a more sustainable water cycle.

"By promoting biodiversity, and reducing the need for artificial cooling and heating, urban canopies can help cut greenhouse gas emissions and mitigate climate change's impacts."

Comments attributed to WALGA President Karen Chappel:

"Local governments, with the support of their communities, have been working tirelessly to increase their urban canopy through tree planting, community engagement and modifications to their planning frameworks to protect trees on private land.

"Expanding the 'Urban Canopy Grant Program' was a key priority in WALGA's 2023-24 State Budget Submission, and this new funding will allow local governments to accelerate their planting efforts."