Published on:
Friday, 16 January 2026
Key Points:
The Western Australian Local Government Association supports the State Government’s finalisation of the Urban Greening Strategy for the Perth and Peel regions.
The much-needed strategy, which was first announced by the State Government in February 2024, outlines the State’s vision for a greener Perth and Peel.
The strategy details how the State Government plans to enhance tree canopy and create more greenspaces across the Perth and Peel regions and recognises green infrastructure as a key element in building cool, resilient and leafy suburbs and towns.
The Urban Greening Strategy also includes an Urban Greening Grant Program for community groups and schools and affirms the State Government’s commitment to supporting Local Governments with their public realm planting programs.
WALGA President Karen Chappel AM JP said the Association had been at the forefront of advocacy efforts in calling for measures to increase urban canopy across the State for many years.
“The release of the strategy represents important progress and WALGA looks forward to working with the State Government to see its implementation across Government and more importantly across our communities,” President Chappel said.
“We are particularly pleased the State Government has established an ambitious target to increase tree canopy across Perth and Peel to 30 per cent by 2040, which corresponds with WALGA's advocacy.
"WALGA and the Local Government sector are committed to assisting in achieving this target and welcomes this recommitment in the Strategy."
President Chappel said WALGA would continue its advocacy for more measures to boost Western Australia’s tree canopy.
“WALGA's 2026-27 State Budget Submission calls on the State Government to invest $40 million over 10 years from 2026-27, to expand the Urban Canopy Grant Program, including for urban areas across the State," President Chappel said.
“These important initiatives would create cooler urban areas and more green spaces, improved health and wellbeing and increased biodiversity across the State.
“Building and maintaining a healthy, resilient and diverse urban forest requires coordinated action by State and Local Governments, landowners, industry and the community.”
It is important that growing Western Australia’s tree canopy sees a continued effort in retaining trees on private land. As the Strategy outlines, it is essential that Western Australia does not go backwards with respect to tree canopy.
Local Governments are leading the way in protecting trees on private land, with nine Local Governments adopting WALGA’s Model Local Planning Policy (LPP) that provides regulatory protection for trees of significant size.
Local Governments can adopt the Tree Retention LPP, which clarifies whether tree removal (or other tree damaging activity) is works that requires development approval.
The LPP aims to provide broad protections for trees of a reasonable size, taking a pragmatic approach that is cognisant of the need to balance the retention of trees with the provision of housing and development.
WALGA will continue to work with Local Government and other stakeholders to increase community awareness and promote behaviour change in relation to urban forest growth and retention to support State and Local Government targets and action.
ENDS
- State Government releases finalised Urban Greening Strategy
- WALGA welcomes Urban Greening Strategy for Perth and Peel
- Local Governments continue to lead the way in protecting trees on private property
- State Government recommits to 30 per cent target, in line with WALGA's advocacy
The Western Australian Local Government Association supports the State Government’s finalisation of the Urban Greening Strategy for the Perth and Peel regions.
The much-needed strategy, which was first announced by the State Government in February 2024, outlines the State’s vision for a greener Perth and Peel.
The strategy details how the State Government plans to enhance tree canopy and create more greenspaces across the Perth and Peel regions and recognises green infrastructure as a key element in building cool, resilient and leafy suburbs and towns.
The Urban Greening Strategy also includes an Urban Greening Grant Program for community groups and schools and affirms the State Government’s commitment to supporting Local Governments with their public realm planting programs.
WALGA President Karen Chappel AM JP said the Association had been at the forefront of advocacy efforts in calling for measures to increase urban canopy across the State for many years.
“The release of the strategy represents important progress and WALGA looks forward to working with the State Government to see its implementation across Government and more importantly across our communities,” President Chappel said.
“We are particularly pleased the State Government has established an ambitious target to increase tree canopy across Perth and Peel to 30 per cent by 2040, which corresponds with WALGA's advocacy.
"WALGA and the Local Government sector are committed to assisting in achieving this target and welcomes this recommitment in the Strategy."
President Chappel said WALGA would continue its advocacy for more measures to boost Western Australia’s tree canopy.
“WALGA's 2026-27 State Budget Submission calls on the State Government to invest $40 million over 10 years from 2026-27, to expand the Urban Canopy Grant Program, including for urban areas across the State," President Chappel said.
“These important initiatives would create cooler urban areas and more green spaces, improved health and wellbeing and increased biodiversity across the State.
“Building and maintaining a healthy, resilient and diverse urban forest requires coordinated action by State and Local Governments, landowners, industry and the community.”
It is important that growing Western Australia’s tree canopy sees a continued effort in retaining trees on private land. As the Strategy outlines, it is essential that Western Australia does not go backwards with respect to tree canopy.
Local Governments are leading the way in protecting trees on private land, with nine Local Governments adopting WALGA’s Model Local Planning Policy (LPP) that provides regulatory protection for trees of significant size.
Local Governments can adopt the Tree Retention LPP, which clarifies whether tree removal (or other tree damaging activity) is works that requires development approval.
The LPP aims to provide broad protections for trees of a reasonable size, taking a pragmatic approach that is cognisant of the need to balance the retention of trees with the provision of housing and development.
WALGA will continue to work with Local Government and other stakeholders to increase community awareness and promote behaviour change in relation to urban forest growth and retention to support State and Local Government targets and action.
ENDS
