WESTERN Australian Local Government Association (WALGA) has thrown its support behind the state government’s finalisation of the Urban Greening Strategy for the Perth and Peel regions.

The strategy details how the state government plans to enhance tree canopy and create more greenspaces across the Perth and Peel regions and recognises green infrastructure as a key element in building cool, resilient and leafy suburbs and towns.

The Urban Greening Strategy also includes an Urban Greening Grant Program for community groups and schools to support local governments with their public realm planting programs.

WALGA president Karen Chappel said the association had been at the forefront of advocacy efforts in calling for measures to increase urban canopy across the state for many years.

“The release of the strategy represents important progress and WALGA looks forward to working with the state government to see its implementation across government and more importantly across our communities,” Mrs Chappel said.

“We are particularly pleased the state government has established an ambitious target to increase tree canopy across Perth and Peel to 30 per cent by 2040, which corresponds with WALGA’s advocacy.

“WALGA’s 2026-27 State Budget submission calls on the state government to invest $40 million over 10 years from 2026-27, to expand the Urban Canopy Grant Program, including for urban areas across the state,” Mrs Chappel said.

“These important initiatives would create cooler urban areas and more green spaces, improved health and wellbeing and increased biodiversity.

“Building and maintaining a healthy, resilient and diverse urban forest requires coordinated action by state and local governments, landowners, industry and the community.

“It is important that growing WA’s tree canopy sees a continued effort in retaining trees on private land.”