Protecting and enhancing our open spaces & tree canopy cover is important for the health of our community & environment.
One of the things that I love about Bassendean is the old, mature trees that cool our suburbs, provide homes for our wildlife and clean our air. Green shady streets bring enormous benefits to our community, are linked to higher property prices, more walkable streets and mental health benefits.
Unfortunately development has caused many established trees to be cleared off private land, greatly reducing our canopy cover. We are working towards implementing policies that incentivise tree retention on development sites and require the planting of replacement trees on development sites.
Our verges represent our largest areas public open space and and are important areas for increasing our tree canopy. Council has been investing heavily in verge planting and has set a target of 70% canopy cover over our road reserves, with residents being given a choice of species that they would like planted on the verge outside their home. I have also been working towards a new verge policy that facilitates community members transforming our verges into more productive, social and sustainable spaces.
Replacing over head wires with underground power is a key component to increasing our tree canopy and I have been advocating for underground power throughout our Town due to the benefits that it brings to our community.
