The established, tree-lined avenues of Mangerton have long been admired for their leafiness.
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And, turns out – according to the results of a new Wollongong City Council study – the central Wollongong suburb has precisely the right amount of trees according to a national urban greening benchmark.
In contrast, the flat streetscapes of newly developed Haywards Bay have an “exceptionally low” number of tree canopies – with only three per cent of land in that area covered by greenery.
In northern Wombarra, tree canopies cover 51 per cent of the suburb, and escarpment suburbs like Mount Kembla and Mount Pleasant also exceed the national average for canopy cover within urban areas.
Read more: Wollongong council's $91 million to-do list
These findings are revealed in the council’s new draft Urban Greening Strategy, which is proposing to dramatically increase the number and density of trees on public and provide land across the city over 20 years.
According to the extensive document, which will soon go on public exhibition, most of the Local Government Area falls well below the recommended leafiness level of 35 per cent canopy cover – exactly the amount found in Mangerton.
Industrial, farmland and development suburbs like Port Kembla, Warrawong, Kanahooka, Marshall Mount and Huntley are among eight which have less than 10 per cent of their land area covered by trees, and Russell Vale and Avondale are right on average, with 17 per cent canopy cover.
This unusual data matters, the council says, because trees – the “urban forest” – deliver “quantifiable long-term benefits to cities” (see research, below).
“These include reduced energy consumption and lower health costs, a boost to business, restoring natural ecosystem services, and purifying air and water,” council staff said. “People are healthier, with increased wellbeing, in greener places.”
To develop the draft strategy, which councillors will debate on Monday, the council mapped 178 square kilometres of land in Wollongong to gather data which will be used as a benchmark between now and 2037.
Along with assessments on canopy cover and the identification of target areas which are desperately in need of more tall trees, the council tracked down the city’s tallest tree: a 45-metre specimen in Coledale.
Between now and 2021, the council plans to spend just over $500,000 to implement the strategy, eventually developing a master plan for urban greening. The areas with low canopy cover will be targeted with mass plantings, as will areas which have a greater need for shade and those with high levels of social vulnerability.
Why do we need more trees?
According to research compiled by Wollongong City Council, having an “urban forest” is an asset that appreciates in value and can bring many benefits for a city and its residents.
Findings include:
- Street trees can improve spending in commercial areas by 20 per cent.
- Shade trees reduce daytime temperatures between five and 20 degrees.
- People walk and cycle more in greener, well-shaded places.
- There are lower levels of obesity in greener neighbourhoods.
- Some studies report greater productivity for workers who can see green spaces
- Children reportedly have greater cognitive function in greener neighbourhoods.
- Energy use from heaters and air conditioners could be reduced by up to 20 per cent but shading buildings.
- Recent studies from Perth indicate street streets can add significant value to a property.
Kate McIlwain
For more than a decade, I've helped the Illawarra Mercury set the news agenda across the region. Currently I'm the paper's health reporter - covering the stories of Illawarra workers and residents in the wake of a global pandemic and at a time where our health systems are stretched to the limit.
For more than a decade, I've helped the Illawarra Mercury set the news agenda across the region. Currently I'm the paper's health reporter - covering the stories of Illawarra workers and residents in the wake of a global pandemic and at a time where our health systems are stretched to the limit.
