Orana estate, located in Clyde North within Melbourne's outer south-east, is implementing a tree-planting initiative to address the urban heat island effect. The development aims to increase shade and green infrastructure.
Project Overview
Thousands of trees have been planted along streets and in front gardens throughout the Orana estate. This effort is part of a strategy to increase canopy cover and mitigate rising temperatures in newly developed residential areas.
Stefan Koomen, Mayor of the City of Casey, stated that new housing estates present opportunities for future green development, advocating for a "tree-first approach" in suburb construction.
Implementation and Costs
In collaboration with developer Balcon, Orana has established a target of 30 percent canopy cover across the estate. This includes a requirement of planting a minimum of two trees per residential lot, exceeding standard regulations.
Jason Shaw, Balcon's development manager, indicated that the environmental components of the project add approximately $1,000 per lot compared to typical landscaping expenditures. These costs are associated with allocating more space for street trees, reusing topsoil, and minimizing hard surfaces to facilitate water absorption by tree roots.
Mr. Shaw noted the project aims to demonstrate that significant canopy trees are achievable even with reduced average lot sizes, which stand at approximately 350 square meters at Orana.
Resident and Community Impact
Residents, such as Rupain Saini, who relocated to Clyde North, have cited the landscaping and green spaces as a factor in their decision to purchase property within the estate.
Broader Policy and Regulation
The City of Casey is one of Victoria's rapidly expanding regions, with its population projected to exceed 500,000 by 2041.
Victoria's 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 a target of 30 percent urban canopy cover by February 2025, introducing stricter protections for existing trees and integrating tree planting into new planning permits.
Individual councils maintain specific canopy targets and timelines. For instance, the City of Banyule targets 45 percent canopy coverage by 2040, while Merribek aims for 30 percent by 2050. The City of Casey's objective is 15 percent by 2030, with 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, comparable to roads and stormwater systems. He suggests that increased state government regulation on residential lot building could ensure adequate space for canopy trees.
Mayor Koomen has called for the state government to integrate more regulations concerning overall canopy cover into planning designs and principles, particularly for new developments, to prevent the sacrifice of tree canopy during Melbourne's continued expansion.
A Victorian government spokesperson confirmed ongoing efforts to enhance canopy cover across Melbourne, emphasizing reforms designed to provide shade, improve air quality, and create more livable neighborhoods.