42Naturally Cooler Indigo Project
Progress
On time
- Not started
- Planning
- Implementation
- Continuous
OBJECTIVE
IMPACT
MediumIncreasing tree canopies in Indigo Shire's towns will increase natural shade and reduce localised temperatures and minimise the urban heating effect during summers.
Description
Council is taking action to increase tree canopies in our towns and reduce the urban heat island effect.
Recent Australian studies of the relationship between tree canopies and surface temperatures in urban areas (Cheesman and Rogers 2023, Duncan et al. 2018, Sun et al. 2018) all demonstrate the potential for increased tree canopy cover to significantly lessen the impacts of urban heat, especially during heatwaves.
The studies confirm resulting health benefits, including reduced heat-related deaths and reduced hospitalisation and other emergency medical care.
Increasing urban tree canopy cover can also lead to a range of additional benefits, such as reduced water runoff during high intensity rainfall events, reduced urban air pollution, increased carbon sequestration and amenity and recreation benefits.
The Naturally Cooler Indigo - fast tracking urban tree canopies in Indigo Shire's towns project is supported by grant funding secured from Emergency Management Victoria (EMV) via their ‘Risk and Resilience Grants Program - Round 2’.
The project involves the following key actions:
- Development of an Urban Tree Canopy Strategy for Indigo Shire, as per the Council Plan (2021-25) - undertaken by Council and expert consultants in 2022/23.
- Analysis / Inventory / Mapping of existing canopy gaps - undertaken by Indigo Shire Council staff using desktop resources and ground-truthing.
- Sourcing and planting of 600 climate-ready tree species referencing the plant list developed by the Naturally Cooler Towns Project. Species were chosen based on 10 selection criteria including drought tolerance, heat tolerance, longevity, ability to form a canopy (generally taller than 6 metres) and low flammability.
- Preparation of planting sites and after-care of planted trees by Council staff and contractors (as required).
- Engagement and education of local communities (including residents) will be embedded throughout the project, with the aim of involving community in planting trees and establishing canopy cover whilst raising awareness of climate change adaptation and the vital role of street and park trees.
This project follows our participation in the Goulburn Murray Climate Alliance's Naturally Cooler Towns Project in 2021/22, which produced a detailed regional report and summary report for Indigo Shire.
We received $160,000 funding from Emergency Management Victoria in November 2022, with a $140,000 co-contribution from Council.
This project is supported by funding provided by the Australian Government in partnership with the States and Territories under the National Partnership Agreement for Disaster Risk Reduction.
Tasks
What are we doing?
- 31/12/2024
Collect GPS data of tree plantings and add to Council's Intramaps.
- 31/12/2024
Develop Council's Urban Tree Canopy Strategy
We committed to developing this strategy as part of our Council Plan (2021-2025). It builds on our involvement in the Naturally Cooler Towns Project in 2022, which highlighted the significant gap in local government governance structures for informing the way we manage our township trees to maximise their benefits such as shade and cooling while also adapting to climate change.
The strategy is also a key part of the Naturally Cooler Indigo Project, a two-year project funded by Emergency Management Victoria (EMV) which aims to upscale Council's street and park tree planting to increase natural shade in our towns.
The strategy will:
- Include strategic actions to promote the growth, protection, and equitable distribution of trees in our towns.
- Provide direction to help us create greener, healthier, and more sustainable townships through the planting of trees resilient to climate change.
- Help guide the tree replacement program for ageing trees across the Shire, not only to maintain the canopy cover, but also to stage tree replacements strategically over a period of time to maintain and protect the character of towns with historically significant treescapes, such as Beechworth and Yackandandah
- Focus on our eight main townships:
- Barnawartha
- Beechworth
- Chiltern
- Kiewa/Tangambalanga
- Rutherglen
- Stanley
- Wahgunyah
- Yackandandah
The Strategy is being developed by Urban Forest Consulting, led by Meg Caffin.
- 31/12/2024
Document tree survival and growth
Collecting and analysing data around the results and effects of the project will help inform Council decisions in regular tree planting activities. This data will also be valuable to other Councils and land managers looking to deliver climate adaptation outcomes.
Environmental data might include ground and ambient air temperatures, soil moisture and other parameters on streets included versus streets not included in the project.
- 31/12/2024
Complete the EMV funded project 'Naturally Cooler Indigo - fast tracking urban tree canopies in Indigo Shire's towns'
What has been done?
- 30/09/2024
Complete Year 2 of tree planting as part of the Naturally Cooler Indigo Project
Year 2 planting started on 15/07/2024. 626 trees were planted in year 2, bringing the total to 1,000 planted in the project.
- 10/08/2024
Public event - talk featuring Dr Greg Moore (University of Melbourne)
As part of Science Week 2024, Council hosted a public talk on 10th August featuring leading tree expert Dr Greg Moore, Senior Research Associate from the University of Melbourne.
The event was hosted by the library team, held at the Beechworth Library and was attended by 70 community members.
Dr Moore spoke about how climate change will alter cities, regional centres and towns across Australia. He advocated for the presence of trees in cities and towns, and outlined how they make a difference to the urban heat island effect. He explained that we will need to have 'climate ready' trees if our cities are to be liveable and sustainable into the future.
Council supplied 50 tubestock seedlings to the event, providing participants the opportunity to take away a free tree to plant in their garden or property. Species provided were Banksia integrifolia, Eucalyptus torquate, Eucalyptus leucoxylon rosea and Callistemon salignus.
- 29/02/2024
Finalise tree list and planting plan for 2024
626 trees have been purchased for planting in Year 2 of the project, which brings the total to 1,000 trees.
- 31/08/2023
Complete Year 1 of tree planting as part of the Naturally Cooler Indigo Project
The winter 2023 planting has been completed, with 374 trees being planted in parks and streets of Indigo Shire's eight towns. Planting effort as part of this project has prioritised streets with multiple canopy gaps identified during the tree gap analysis. This is in addition to Council's annual tree planting program.
Street and park tree species were selected, plants ordered for winter 2023 planting, and dial-before-you-dig inquiries undertaken.
The plants are receiving follow-up maintainence (e.g. watering) to aid establishment.
- 31/05/2023
Finalise tree list and planting plan for 2023
Species and site selection will underpin other aspects of the project.
- 31/05/2023
Undertake an assessment of canopy gaps in Indigo towns to identify street and park tree planting opportunities.
Council's Coordinator Trees and Parks has undertaken a tree gap analysis of Indigo’s main towns, identifying over 2,000 gaps for street and park trees in Indigo's main towns - Beechworth, Rutherglen, Chiltern, Barnawartha, Wahgunyah, Tangambalanga, and Stanley.
Summary and contacts
Timeline
10/02/2023 → Continuous → 31/12/2024
Target audience
Responsible organisations
- Municipal OperationsProject co-lead. Manages street and park tree establishment, management and renewal programs.
- Environment & SustainabilityProject co-lead. Provides project support and technical advice in relation to the role of urban trees in climate change adaptation.
- CORPORATE SERVICES & PLANNINGProvides heritage advice to the project control group in relation to urban treescapes.
Emissions Scope
Indicative costs
$300,000 over 2 years
Information updated 08/11/2024
Managing data for access and transparency will assist in grant outcomes reporting, communications and citizen involvement.