THE City of Kalamunda’s investigation into establishing an internal municipal tree nursey has concluded with council electing in a unanimous vote to drop the project due to a lack of financial viability.

In December 2025, city council unanimously backed the investigation of a business case for a city-owned nursery to offset the $35,000 to $80,000 spent annually on external suppliers, as previously reported in Kalamunda unanimously supports business case for tree nursery bid.

The subsequent study developed by the city and presented to council at their June 23 ordinary council meeting found developing a tree nursery by the city could potentially cost $825,000, plus an extra $654,000 each year to run.

According to the study completed by city staff, the high annual running costs could not be financially justified based on Kalamunda’s current planting rate of 300 trees a year.

“The city’s urban forest strategy has a target of 30 per cent canopy cover by 2042,” the study said.

“It is estimated that the city would need to plant 2000 trees per annum in the public realm to achieve this target alongside endeavours in private land.

“Currently the city’s resources are disproportionate to this target.

“An internal and city operated production nursery is unlikely to be financially viable at the city’s current planting volumes.”

Moved by Cr David Modolo and seconded by Cr Josh Clark, the motion instead gave city staff the green light to liase with the City of Gosnells regarding their own upcoming city-owned tree nursery project.

The Gosnells facility is expected to produce a surplus of 6500 trees and 100,000 seedlings annually for external sale, providing the city with an avenue to acquire bulk stock.

“We should redirect effort and funding toward a proactive, measurable, and properly resourced planting program, planting on verges and city managed reserves, support and incentives for residents who plant, and the very opportunities set out in the tree nursery study tonight,” Cr Clark said.

“I would rather see resources the city would otherwise spend on applications and disputes invested in getting trees into the ground where they can grow and move the canopy upwards.”