Increasing tree canopies in our towns is critical to reducing the urban heat island effect in summer.
Large trees play an essential role in providing shade in towns and making hot weather more bearable for residents.
Providing shade and ensuring our public spaces are inviting and 'climate-ready' will help keep our towns thriving in the face of increasing summer temperatures and extended heatwaves, which are expected under climate change modelling for our region.
Indigo Shire's towns are renowned for beautiful treescapes, and Council has a critical role in strategically managing trees in urban streets and parks, now and in the future.
We are currently developing our Urban Tree Canopy Strategy, which will guide how we protect and enhance the treescapes in our eight towns. The Naturally Cooler Indigo Project has resulted in the planting of an additional 1,000 street and park trees in a two-year period.