Perth developers clear all trees from new suburbs, creating heat islands

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 12 Oct, 12:30 · Archive

Developers are clearing every tree from new Perth estates, leaving streets barren and hot, according to WA Tree Canopy Advocates.

Land developers are clearing every tree from new estates on Perth's fringe, leaving streets barren and treeless. Some new suburbs are becoming up to 98 per cent treeless, according to WA Tree Canopy Advocates, an advocacy group calling for planning law changes.

The chairwoman of WA Tree Canopy Advocates, Sarah Allchurch, says current planning frameworks allow complete clearing of mature trees during greenfield subdivisions. She contends that replacement saplings planted after clearing make little difference because trees do not provide adequate canopy cover or heat mitigation until they are 30 to 60 years old. "A sapling is a promise of shade for your grandkids, but a mature tree shades your family today," she said. "In a city like Perth, trees aren't decoration, they're essential infrastructure."

Ms Allchurch says the clearing practice has turned new suburbs into heat islands, with families "paying the price for decades with hotter temperatures, higher cooling costs and greater risks to their health". She notes that earlier subdivision practices in Western Australia commonly retained existing vegetation through site-responsive design, but this approach has largely been replaced by methods relying on large-scale clearing and bulk earthworks. While planning instruments such as Liveable Neighbourhoods contain references to trees and landscaping, they do not mandate protection of existing vegetation.

How it is being reported

• Hot, barren and treeless estates fill Perth’s fringe as planning laws allow all trees to be bulldozedLand developers are clearing every piece of greenery from new estates, leaving up to 98 per cent of each new suburb comprising hot, barren and treeless streets.Perth Now · 12 Oct, 12:01
• Hot, barren and treeless estates fill Perth’s fringe as planning laws allow all trees to be bulldozed. WA Tree Canopy Advocates want this to changeLand developers are clearing every piece of greenery from new estates, leaving up to 98 per cent of each new suburb comprising hot, barren and treeless streets.The West Australian · 11 Oct, 19:00

In this story: WA Tree Canopy Advocates · Sarah Allchurch · Perth · Western Australia

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