Concurrent Sessions
Nine concurrent sessions will be run throughout the WALGA Urban Forest Conference 2023 Valuing Canopy, which will explore the diverse ways in which the various stakeholders value canopy through their roles, organisations and communities.
Below is an overview of each session and the speakers.
11:35am - 12:35pm
.png?width=240&height=240) |
|
Valuing canopy in the planning system
Most canopy trees are being lost on private land. In response, we are seeing planning interventions to address this trend at both a local and state level. This session will cover what is working, what isn’t, and what can be done better. Speakers include:
- Bonnie Hall and Nathan Blumenthal - City of Nedlands
- Tara Cherrie – Department of Planning, Lands and Heritage
- Barbara Gdowski – Office of the Government Architect of Western Australia
|
| |
|
|
 |
|
Canopy for health and wellbeing
Access to greenspace is critical for human health and wellbeing. This session will showcase projects that demonstrate the positive contribution canopy makes to physical and mental health, as well as social connection. Speakers include:
- Sally Blane – Cancer Council WA
- Carrick Robinson and Anthony Brookfield – Perth Children’s Hospital Foundation and Hassell
- Sonja Kusich – Curtin University
|
1:30-2:30pm
 |
|
Multi-scalar green infrastructure
Green infrastructure is now understood alongside traditional ‘grey’ infrastructure to be as critical to life in cities. This session will explore the opportunities for incorporating green infrastructure of different scales to cool our cities and enhance climate resilience. Speakers include:
- Nick Williams - University of Melbourne
- Liliana Pelle – Infrastructure WA
- Azrina Karima - University of Western Australia
|
| |
|
|
 |
|
Valuing positive partnerships with community
The best urban forests are a valued community asset, developed and maintained in partnership with Local Governments and the communities they serve. This session will explore methodologies for enhancing this valued-community asset through positive engagement.
- Mayor Mark Irwin – City of Stirling
- Deniqua Boston & Heather Johnstone – Town of Victoria Park
- Grey Coupland - Harry Butler Institute, Murdoch University
|
| |
|
|
 |
|
Ingredients for a thriving canopy
Trees in urban environments are under extreme pressure, and what happens below the surface is critical for delivering on canopy targets. This session examines what is needed on and aboce the ground to achieve a thriving canopy. Featured speakers are:
- Barbara Meldrum – City of Perth
- Boonlay Ong – Curtin University
- Kylie Ireland – Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development
|
2:35-3:35pm
 |
|
Valuing canopy in design work
A densifying city requires creative and innovative solutions to increase green infrastructure. This session explores how urban design can contribute to growing a green city. Speakers include:
- Peta-Maree Ashford – Emerge Associates
- Councillor Sandy Anghie - Australian Institute of Architects
- Taylor Goddard – Element
|
| |
|
|
 |
|
Canopy and urban heat
Canopy plays a critical role in mitigating and adapting our urban environments in the face of climate change and increased heat projections for the state. This session will examine new research and how it’s being implemented to protect communities from extreme heat. Speakers include:
- Bryan Boruff – University of Western Australia
- Melanie Davies – WALGA
- Andrew Henson - Penrith City Council
|
2:35-3:35pm
Elected Members and Executives Masterclass – Separate registration required
From Targets to Implementation: What it takes to grow a thriving canopy
The WALGA Urban Forest Conference 2023
Valuing Canopy will host a one-hour masterclass for Elected Members and Executives within Local Government Aimed at building the knowledge of key decision-makers, the masterclass will help influencers , deliver good canopy outcomes for their local community.
This masterclass will be run by
Donna Shaw, Acting Director of Community Planning at the Town of Bassendean.
Donna commenced as the Manager of Development & Place at the Town of Bassendean in early 2020, following 13 years in the outer growth Cities of Gosnells and Rockingham. She has also acted as Director Planning and Development at the Town of Claremont, where she was involved in the development of the Town’s first Public Health Plan.
A Councillor at the City of Armadale for 12 years and chair of the development services committee for 10 years, Donna has beeninvolved in their strategic metropolitan centre structure plan and urban forest strategy.
Donna is currently the WALGA trainer for land use planning courses, facilitating town planning programs for both Elected Members and local government officers.
2:35-3:35pm
Field Tour
A field tour will run during the WALGA Urban Forest Conference 2023
Valuing Canopy. To register, you will need to nominate if you would like to attend the tour.
Below is an overview of the tour and the presenter.
Curtin Campus Grounds Tour – Separate registration required
A 50 minute walking tour to hear Curtin University’s approach in creating and maintaining beautiful grounds to enhance the campus experience and contribute towards habitat and biodiversity.
This tour will be presented by Allyson Mullane from Curtin University.
4:35-4:50pm
Green Hats Wrap Up
To close out the full-day conference, our ‘green hat gambit’ will see three charismatic, well-spoken and passionate individuals (our green hats) from various professional backgrounds take the stage to deliver a short review/summary of their key highlights and takeaways from the day.
Our expert Green Hats include:
- Sabrina Hahn, Presenter and Host, ABC Perth
- Shane Grieve, Urban and Regional Planning Aligned Academic, School of Design and Built Environment, Curtin University.
- Chris Ferreira, Managing Director, The Forever Project