URGENT UPDATE: Albury City Council has just announced a bold plan to more than double tree cover in the city by 2050, aiming to combat rising temperatures and enhance urban cooling. During an open briefing on August 18, landscape architects from Melbourne-based GbLA presented a draft urban forest strategy, targeting a dramatic increase from the current 13.2 percent tree canopy to 30 percent across Albury’s local government area.
City officials and landscape architects, including Ashley Sheldrick and Annette Warner, revealed their ambitious blueprint to the council, emphasizing the urgent need to address the urban heat island effect caused by climate change. Notably, West Albury currently boasts the highest tree canopy at 25.1 percent, while Wirlinga sits at a mere 5.9 percent. The strategy includes detailed street-by-street master plans for each of Albury’s twelve areas, suggesting specific tree species that can thrive in a warming climate.
The initiative responds directly to residents’ concerns. An online survey conducted by GbLA drew 199 responses, with 82 percent of participants prioritizing shade and cooling as the most valued aspects of an urban forest. Furthermore, 75 percent expressed a desire for more shade along cycle and walking paths.
Steven Millett, the council’s leader for assets, sustainability, and environment, emphasized that achieving the 30 percent target will require collective action from property owners, the community, and various stakeholders. “It’s a 30 percent aspirational target. Council alone cannot deliver it,” Millett stated. With approximately 20,000 properties in Albury, a significant impact could be made if just one tree was planted per property.
Currently, the council plants around 2,000 trees annually with a budget of $230,000 for new specimens. Tree planting events can see up to 600 varieties planted in a single day, showcasing the community’s enthusiasm for enhancing the city’s green spaces.
The draft urban forest strategy is set to be presented at the council meeting on September 8, where it will be adopted and shared with the community for feedback. As climate change continues to pose challenges, Albury’s proactive approach serves as a vital step toward a cooler, greener future. Stay tuned as this story develops.
