Greener and cooler environments

The Guidelines set increased standards for greening and cooling in our new communities, making them more sustainable, climate resilient and beautiful.

Part of this is a new minimum 30 per cent tree canopy cover target for the public realm. 

Under the Guidelines, planning for new communities will ensure: 

• A green public realm with increased vegetation and canopy tree cover to contribute to a distinct sense of place, urban cooling, and an enhanced sense of wellbeing. 
• Waterways provide valuable open space corridors for walking and cycling paths, cooling and greening, rest and recreation. 

• Maximised canopy tree planting on public land in streets, local parks and public places to support amenity objectives and improve resilience during extreme heat events with shading and cooling. 
• Native vegetation retention also considers cooling and greening impacts and opportunities to provide canopy tree coverage. 

Planning for a new community will include developing a Public Realm & Water Plan, which will illustrate and quantify canopy tree coverage for the PSP area.