Perth Voice Interactive

STIRLING council will endeavour to plant 30 per cent more trees this year to give its Urban Forest Plan a much-needed boost.

The City will spend $216,000 to support the plan, with the money aimed at increasing canopy coverage across public and private land with 12,000 new trees. 

Stirling mayor Mark Irwin said trees were important to create functional and attractive streets and reserves, and the City was aiming for an 18 per cent canopy coverage by 2040.

The City hosted 35 events at this year’s WA Tree Festival and provided almost 30,000 free trees and plants to the community. 

The last of a series of community plantings is due to be held today (Saturday June 22) from 8.45am at the Scarborough Beach Surf School.

“If there is one lesson from the last three years of the WA Tree Festival it is that community support and participation are essential alongside government policies to protect our natural environment,” Mr Irwin said.