Orana Estate Champions Green Future with Tree-Planting Initiative in Melbourne's South-East
Orana estate, situated in Clyde North within Melbourne's outer south-east, is spearheading a significant tree-planting initiative designed to combat the urban heat island effect. The development's strategic aim is to substantially increase shade and green infrastructure across the community.
Project Overview: A "Tree-First Approach"
Thousands of trees have been planted along streets and in front gardens throughout the Orana estate, marking a crucial step in a broader strategy to enhance canopy cover and mitigate rising temperatures in newly developed residential areas.
Stefan Koomen, Mayor of the City of Casey, emphasizes that new housing estates offer prime opportunities for future green development, advocating for a "tree-first approach" in suburb construction.
Implementation and Investment in Green Infrastructure
In a collaborative effort with developer Balcon, Orana has established an ambitious target of 30 percent canopy cover across the estate. This commitment includes a requirement to plant a minimum of two trees per residential lot, a standard that notably exceeds existing regulations.
Jason Shaw, Balcon's development manager, revealed that the environmental components of this project add approximately $1,000 per lot compared to typical landscaping expenditures. These costs are attributed to allocating increased space for street trees, implementing topsoil reuse practices, and minimizing hard surfaces to optimize water absorption by tree roots.
Mr. Shaw also highlighted that the project aims to demonstrate the feasibility of integrating significant canopy trees, even with average lot sizes reduced to approximately 350 square meters at Orana.
Resident and Community Impact
The extensive landscaping and abundant green spaces have proven to be a key draw for residents. Rupain Saini, who relocated to Clyde North, cited these green amenities as a significant factor in her decision to purchase property within the estate.
Broader Policy and Regulatory Context
The City of Casey stands as one of Victoria's most rapidly expanding regions, with its population projected to surpass 500,000 by 2041.
Victoria's current planning regulations mandate a minimum of 10 percent canopy cover for land up to 1,000 square meters and 20 percent for larger parcels. The Victorian government has set an ambitious target of 30 percent urban canopy cover by February 2025, concurrently introducing stricter protections for existing trees and integrating tree planting into new planning permits.
Individual councils across Victoria maintain their specific canopy targets and timelines. For instance, the City of Banyule aims for 45 percent canopy coverage by 2040, while Merribek targets 30 percent by 2050. The City of Casey's objective is 15 percent by 2030, a goal that faces the challenge of certain suburbs, including Clyde North, currently exhibiting canopy cover as low as 1 to 5 percent.
Professor Joe Hurley from RMIT's Centre for Urban Research classifies urban green infrastructure as critical infrastructure, on par with roads and stormwater systems. He advocates for increased state government regulation on residential lot building to ensure adequate space for canopy trees.
Mayor Koomen has called for the state government to integrate more comprehensive regulations concerning overall canopy cover into planning designs and principles, particularly for new developments, to prevent the sacrifice of tree canopy amidst Melbourne's continued expansion.
A Victorian government spokesperson confirmed ongoing efforts to enhance canopy cover across Melbourne, underscoring reforms designed to provide shade, improve air quality, and foster more livable neighborhoods.