2017 2 City of Rockingham | Greening Plan 2017 Contents
1. Introduction 5
1.1 Vision 5
1.2 Purpose 5
1.3 Green Goals 6
1.4 Greening Principles 6
1.5 Strategic context 8
1.6 Relevant documentation 8
2. What is green space? 11
2.1 What are the benefits of greening? 12
2.2 Predicted climate trends 15
3. What is the City’s green cover? 17
3.1 Historical roots 17
3.2 Comparison to previous plan 18
3.3 The City’s existing green cover 20
3.4 Street and parkland trees 22
Created by: Planning and Development Services Contents 3
4. What are the issues surrounding 25 7. How do we get there? 46 9. Implementation 113 urban green cover? 7.1 Green Goal One 46 9.1 Implementation costs 123 4.1 Natural decline 25 7.2 Green Goal Two 50 9.2 Responsibilities 123 4.2 Removal 25 7.3 Green Goal Three 50 4.3 Fire 25 7.4 Green Goal Four 51 10. Measuring our success 125 4.4 Vulnerability 25 7.5 Green Goal Five 51 4.5 Infrastructure restrictions 26 11. References 126 4.6 Vandalism 26 8. Suburb Snapshots 53 4.7 Development 26 8.1 Baldivis 54 Appendix A: Recommend public tree 130 8.2 Cooloongup 62 species list 5. What does the City stand to lose? 29 8.3 East Rockingham 66
8.4 Golden Bay 70 Appendix B: Photo library of 137 recommended species 6. What are the opportunities to improve 31 8.5 Hillman 74 green cover in the public realm? 8.6 Karnup 78 6.1 Urban Heat Island impacts 37 8.7 Port Kennedy 80 6.2 Tree spacing 37 8.8 Rockingham 84 6.3 Species selection 38 8.9 Safety Bay 88 6.4 Native vs non-native 40 8.10 Secret Harbour 92 6.5 Habitat corridors 41 8.11 Shoalwater 96 6.6 Resilience 42 8.12 Singleton 100 6.7 Character 43 8.13 Waikiki 104 6.8 Size matters 44 8.14 Warnbro 108 6.9 Health and longevity 45 4 City of Rockingham | Greening Plan 2017 Introduction 5
1 Introduction The City of Rockingham encompasses an approximate area of 260 km2 The Plan also acknowledges the challenges and currently has a population of over 140,000, which is expected to associated with establishing and managing a resilient, healthy and diverse grow beyond 175,000 in the next ten years. Given the context of a urban forest, together with the need to rapidly urbanising Strategic Metropolitan Center, the City aspires to ensure the benefits of urban greening develop strong communities, recognizing that green space is a key are complimentary to community safety element contributing to our City’s liveability, amenity and character. objectives and the provision of services. The Plan considers the current extent of The City’s green space includes all trees, The Greening Plan (the Plan) is a systematic all green cover across the City, while also shrubs, grass and other vegetation on and long term approach to management identifying potential losses, key threats, public and private land. Collectively, of green space, with a particular focus on challenges and opportunities, to establish these various forms of green space trees in streetscapes and public open space ambitious yet pragmatic Green Goals for play their part to positively influence (POS). These trees are an invaluable part the City’s urban forest over the next five community well-being, local economy of the City’s green capital and the Plan years and beyond. and biodiversity. provides a framework to protect, enhance and effectively manage these assets.
1.1 Vision 1.2 Purpose This Plan endeavours to deliver the following aspiration contained in the City’s Strategic To provide a framework for the Community Plan 2015-2025: establishment of a resilient, diverse and expanding urban forest through greening Planning for population growth and guiding development and land use to ensure that in public open space and streetscapes. future generations enjoy a sustainable city and genuinely desirable lifestyle.
Aspiration D: Sustainable Environment Strategic objective:Land Use and Development Control 6 City of Rockingham | Greening Plan 2017
1.3 Green Goals 1.4 Greening Principles The delivery of the Greening Plan is driven by the following Green Goals: Greening Principle 1 Greening Principle 5 All built-up urban environments within Native trees are preferred where the City must be accompanied with street appropriate for the site conditions and parkland trees to reduce potential and particularly in locations directly urban heat island effects, prioritising Improve the trajectory of abutting conservation reserves or in areas such as car parks, shopping areas of POS outside urban centres, the City’s green cover Greening Principle 6 precincts and industrial areas. to establish corridors of native habitat No individual tree species across the City. should be over represented across the municipal area, to ensure a diverse Encourage community urban forest. involvement in urban greening
Protect and maintain the City’s green assets Greening Principle 4 Non-native trees are preferred in circumstances where they are considered more likely to Greening Principle 7 Plant the right tree thrive and deliver benefits in urban Wherever possible, tree in the right place centres, or where they provide planting in individual streets known feeding habitat must be uniform, with for Black Cockatoos. either a single species or a consistent pattern, to Ensure a diverse establish and enhance urban forest streetscape character and sense of place. Greening Principle 8 Greening Principle 9 Actions required to achieve these Green Plant the biggest tree Public trees are a City asset Goals are identified in Section 6 of this Plan a site can accommodate, and should only be removed and must be undertaken with consideration appropriate to existing as a last resort. Every public for the following Greening Principles. character and surrounding tree removed must be infrastructure. replaced with an advanced Greening Principle 2 Greening Principle 3 tree of the same species in Spacing must be sufficient to Species selection must consider separation the same location within support mature tree size, with requirements, verge widths and surrounding 12 months, appropriate continuous and connected infrastructure restrictions, while acknowledging to site conditions. canopy cover in streetscapes that the provision of public trees is paramount, wherever possible. irrespective of the challenges. Introduction 7
1.4 Greening Principles Greening Principle 1 Greening Principle 5 All built-up urban environments within Native trees are preferred where the City must be accompanied with street appropriate for the site conditions and parkland trees to reduce potential and particularly in locations directly urban heat island effects, prioritising abutting conservation reserves or in areas such as car parks, shopping areas of POS outside urban centres, Greening Principle 6 precincts and industrial areas. to establish corridors of native habitat No individual tree species across the City. should be over represented across the municipal area, to ensure a diverse urban forest.
Greening Principle 4 Non-native trees are preferred in circumstances where they are considered more likely to Greening Principle 7 thrive and deliver benefits in urban Wherever possible, tree centres, or where they provide planting in individual streets known feeding habitat must be uniform, with for Black Cockatoos. either a single species or a consistent pattern, to establish and enhance streetscape character and sense of place. Greening Principle 8 Greening Principle 9 Plant the biggest tree Public trees are a City asset a site can accommodate, and should only be removed appropriate to existing as a last resort. Every public character and surrounding tree removed must be infrastructure. replaced with an advanced Greening Principle 2 Greening Principle 3 tree of the same species in Spacing must be sufficient to Species selection must consider separation the same location within support mature tree size, with requirements, verge widths and surrounding 12 months, appropriate continuous and connected infrastructure restrictions, while acknowledging to site conditions. canopy cover in streetscapes that the provision of public trees is paramount, wherever possible. irrespective of the challenges. 8 City of Rockingham | Greening Plan 2017
1.5 Strategic context 1.6 Relevant documentation Effective management of the City’s green space is reliant on the successful integration of a suite of documents that bear relevance to tree planting within road reserves and POS. Strategic Community Plan The following documents were given particular consideration during the development of 2015-2025 this Plan and should be referred to during implementation as required:
• Bushfire Risk Mitigation Strategy, City • Liveable Neighbourhoods, Department of Rockingham (2017) (draft) of Planning (2009)
• Environmental Management Strategy, • Draft Liveable Neighbourhoods, City of Rockingham (2017) (draft) Department of Planning (2015) Environmental Environmental Planning • Public Open Space Strategy, City of • Utility Providers Code of Practice, Management Strategy Strategy (to be developed) Rockingham (2017) (draft) Main Roads WA (2015)
• Reserve Prioritisation Report, City of • Rockingham Lakes Regional Park Rockingham (2015) Management Plan, Department of Parks and Wildlife (2010) • Design WA, Department of Planning (2016) (draft) • Vegetation Placement within the Road Tree Protection Policy Reserve, Main Roads WA 2013 Greening Plan • State Planning Policy 3.7: Planning in Trees on public land (to be developed) Trees on private land Bush Fire Prone Areas, Department of • Revegetation Planning and Planning (2015) Techniques, Main Roads WA 2013
• Guidelines for Planning in Bushfire • City of Rockingham Verge Treatment Prone Areas, Department of Policy (draft) Planning (2017) Introduction 9 10 City of Rockingham | Greening Plan 2017 What is Green space? 11
2 What is Green space? Green space refers to all trees and vegetation that grows within the City on both public and private land. This includes street trees, parks and gardens, nature reserves, shrubs, green walls, green roofs and turf planted, which together provide a range of benefits that enrich the quality of life and make for a healthier, more prosperous community.
Under the umbrella term of green space is urban forest or urban green space which encompasses all trees outside of the City’s natural areas and conservation reserves. As such, urban greening refers to the establishment of trees and other vegetation in an urban setting. 12 City of Rockingham | Greening Plan 2017
2.1 What are the benefits of greening? The retention, protection and enhancement of green space has a Reduce temperatures Energy saving multitude of environmental, social and economic benefits for the City. Trees can directly decrease the Street trees provide shade to buildings, surrounding air outdoor recreational spaces, pavements temperature by Air conditioners alone use nearly Shade from trees can and parking areas. Trees also lower ambient temperatures and assist in Trees can reduce air reducing adverse Urban Heat Island (UHI) one third minimise conditioner usage by effects and electricity use. 5 C OF THE energy usage UP TO power consumed on the hottest in buildings by reducing Furthermore, trees perform a range of (McPherson et al. 2006) days in January, February and March heat absorption and important environmental and ecological (Western Power 2016) storage (McPherson et functions. They are effective at intercepting ˚ al. 2006), cooling the rainfall, resulting in reduced stormwater Oxygen production surrounding 10% runoff and soil erosion, with the scale air and lowering the and intensity of interception increasing A mature tree can transpire up to building temperature. (McPherson and Two medium sized, healthy Simpson 2003) with the size and amount of canopy cover (Akbari 2009) (McPherson et al. 2006) (Liveable Neighbourhoods, 2015). trees can produce enough oxygen required for 150 L of water PER DAY one person which, in hot dry locations Cooling neighbourhoods FOR such as the City, can produce a cooling effect similar to that of one year with trees two air conditioners provides benefits to the whole community, as not all households may (McPherson et al. 2006) running for 20 HOURS (Akbari 2009) be able to afford air conditioning.
Air quality and carbon storage
Trees remove air pollution through interception Trees reduce atmospheric CO2 by of particulate matter and absorption of gases sequestering carbon in stems and leaves PM (McPherson et al. 1994) (Akbari et al. 2001; Nowak and Crane 2002) What is Green space? 13
Stormwater Economic value
Trees reduce Research by the Increasing urban green space around retail areas stormwater Cooperative CAN impacts through all Research Centres parts of the plant. Programme for improve sales Water Sensitive Street trees are known to by making shopping districts more attractive. Trees reduce erosion Cities (CRCWSC) increase property prices. Leaves and branches suggests that Research undertaken in intercept rainfall and BY trees can reduce Perth indicates that: reduce urban runoff decreasing the impact maintenance costs (Xiao and McPherson 2002) of rain on surfaces of understory (McPherson et al. 2006) vegetation within 1 street tree stormwater can increase property Roots increase rainfall price by up to Appropriately located trees can reduce the City’s costs infiltration rate into Stormwater flows biofilters by up to associated with road and footpath maintenance, soil, absorb water from into and out of some 80% $16,889 as the shade reduces pavement fatigue. soil and increase soil of the City’s wetlands. water holding capacity High volumes and (Pandit et al. 2013) (McPherson and Muchnick 2005) polluted storm water (Xiao and McPherson 2002; can negatively affect Research also suggests that an increase in street McPherson et al. 2006) these ecosystems. tree planting increases property value more than increasing the total area of urban parks. The Department of Water’s Decision Process for Stormwater (Ishikawa and Fukushige 2012) Management in WA: Draft for Consultation (July, 2016) recognises the importance of incorporating trees in stormwater management as a part of achieving good urban amenity. Trees can significantly improve water quality as well as reduce stormwater volumes and peak flow rates. 14 City of Rockingham | Greening Plan 2017
Conservation, biodiversity and urban ecology Health and wellbeing
Extreme air temperatures can impact Urban greening Street and parkland on elderly, young and sick people. Heat related mortality improves the City’s trees can provide In Perth, two consecutive days with rates on days with important foraging, an average temperature of 44ºC can 30% extreme temperatures liveability roosting and nesting increase heat related mortality by: can be reduced from habitat for endangered character Carnaby’s Black (Tapper 2014) 30% – 20% Tree lined streets can sense Cockatoos through a reduction in Trees also air temperature of just of place Planting street and parkland and threatened increase people’s: reduce stress trees can positively influence Red-tailed Black 1-2ºC, which can be satisfaction while driving achieved using trees. Cockatoos AND (Tapper 2014) biodiversity experiences AND discourage high speeds perceptions (Parsons et al. 1998) ecological of the quality of their everyday OUTCOMES environments -2ºC -1ºC by establishing corridors of (Chiesura 2004) habitat across the landscape.
High levels of health, wellbeing and involvement within a community makes a more desirable place to live in and visit. Public trees encourage the use of: IN 2014/15, THE CITY RECEIVED AN AVERAGE OF:
DOMESTIC INTERNATIONAL outdoor spaces 115,000 VISITORS + 19,000 VISITORS WHICH: increases social WITH integration Green corridors provide stepping stones of habitat enabling % VISITING FRIENDS % VISITING FOR AND the movement of fauna between conservation reserves, 56 AND RELATIVES + 23 HOLIDAY OR LEISURE interaction among neighbours Tourism West Australia (TWA 2016b) found that elements influencing safeguarding against holiday experience included good weather, landscape/scenery and (Coley et al. 1997) POPULATIONS BECOMING ISOLATED lifestyle, all of which are influenced by public trees. What is Green space? 15
2.2 Predicted climate trends There is a consensus amongst scientists dealing with climate hypotheses and observations that increasing levels of greenhouse gases attributable to human activities are likely to be contributing to global warming. Over the 20th century, increases in global average air and ocean temperature have been observed. The extra heat in the climate system also has other impacts such as affecting atmospheric and ocean circulation, which influence rainfall and wind patterns (DotE 2015).
Records show that the decade of 2001 - 2010 was the world’s warmest decade on record and in Australia, each decade has been warmer than the previous decade since the 1950s (DotE 2015). Furthermore, since 1950, the average number of heat wave days per year has increased across Australia. The number of heatwave events and their duration and intensity is also on the rise, with heatwaves resulting in more deaths over the last 100 years than any other natural hazard (Steffan et al. 2014)
Changes in climate are therefore considered to present a significant risk to quality of life and community health and well-being into the future, particularly in urban areas, with the elderly and very young being most vulnerable. Increasing tree canopy cover and green space is recognised as one of the most cost effective strategies to mitigate these potential climate impacts. 16 City of Rockingham | Greening Plan 2017 What is the City’s green cover? 17
3 What is the City’s green cover?
3.1 Historical roots The City has experienced an evolution of In 1870, the Rockingham Jetty and Over the last decade, the City has been land uses and varying levels of associated associated railway was constructed to the fourth fastest growing municipality clearing. Originally inhabited by the export timber harvested from the region. in Perth and is now home to more than Nyungar people, European settlement This operated as a significant port until the 140,000 residents. Located in one of the began in the area now known as the Fremantle Inner Harbour was opened in nation’s fastest growth corridors, the City City of Rockingham in the early 1897. Despite this, Rockingham continued is one of Western Australia’s Strategic 1850s as pioneering families to grow as a popular holiday destination Metropolitan Centres and our population began clearing the land with development along the coast. is expected to grow to approximately for agriculture. 200,000 in the next 20 years. This While this resulted in clearing of native growth has come with significant urban coastal shrubland, it also resulted in the development to cater for the needs of a establishment of some of the City’s iconic growing population. street and parkland trees, such as the Tuarts and Peppermints in Churchill and It is therefore important to recognise Bell Parks and the Norfolk Island Pines that clearing land to support growth and along Arcadia Drive. prosperity is not a recent occurrence, nor is the creation of leafy green spaces for Inland, agricultural and rural activities the community. continued throughout Baldivis and Karnup, with land being used for market In this way, the actions undertaken gardens, orchards and vineyards. by the City over the next 5 years and beyond will play an important role in providing a green, liveable City for current and future generations. 18 City of Rockingham | Greening Plan 2017
3.2 Comparison to previous plan 3.2.1 Canopy cover 3.2.2 Green cover The City’s previous Greening Plan As part of the development of this Plan, As part of the analysis for the Greening Many areas are also shown as having was adopted by Council in 2012. The an analysis of existing canopy cover was Plan (2012), a 2010 near infrared aerial experienced a moderate increase or overarching objective was to increase the undertaken to determine how close image of the City was used. This has decrease in greenness which is likely aggregate extent of vegetation within the City came to realising the previous been analysed relative to the latest 2016 due to annual variations in moisture the municipality. The achieve this, the targets. The results are shown in infrared imagery to detect a change in availability and does not necessarily Greening Plan (2012) set canopy cover Table 1 below. NDVI (Normalised Difference Vegetation indicate that a change in cover has targets for specified ‘suburban residential’, Index), which essentially indicates where occurred. Areas of significant increase ‘urban/residential’ and ‘rural’ areas. there is change in greenness or vegetation in green cover are also identified and rigour as well as changes in overall green include areas such as irrigated market Table 1: Comparison to 2030 canopy cover targets set in Greening Plan (2012). cover. The change in NDVI, or greenness, gardens, irrigated turf and the growth of Target percent Change in canopy is shown in Figure 1 and has been vegetation (particularly within bushland Specified area canopy cover increase cover measured Target met calibrated such that a significant decrease areas and wetland areas). primarily indicates that a loss of green Suburban residential 30% -0.2% No cover has occurred due to clearing, but Moving forward, the available technology to analyse green cover and tree canopy has Urban/residential 20% -2.9% No may also indicate changes in vigour due to a lack of irrigation on private improved markedly since the previous plan Rural 15% -1.0% No property or large scale weed was developed, meaning we are better control in conservation areas. placed to estimate potential changes and set realistic targets for the future. A relatively small decrease in green cover has occurred for all three specified areas (<3%), indicating that changes in green changes in green cover cover are not currently on a trajectory that are not currently on a would result in the City’s previous targets trajectory that would being met by 2030. result in the City’s While the City planted thousands of trees previous targets over the last five years, the loss of canopy cover associated with urban expansion being met by 2030. was much greater. What is the City’s green cover? 19
HOW DID WE GO OVER 3 THE LAST 5 YEARS? 2010 – 2015 5 1 2 9
7 14 10 12
15
Figure 1: Change in NDVI 2010 to 2015 8 (derived from Landsat 7 and Landsat 8 Imagery) 6
11 Legend 1. Baldivis Suburb boundary 2. Cooloongup 3. East Rockingham 4 NDVI change 4. Golden Bay Significant increase 5. Hillman 6. Karnup Moderate increase 7. Point Peron Negligible 13 8. Port Kennedy Moderate decrease 9. Rockingham Significant decrease 10. Safety Bay 11. Secret Harbour 12. Shoalwater 13. Singleton 14. Waikiki 15. Warnbro 20 City of Rockingham | Greening Plan 2017
3.3 Existing green cover An analysis of the City’s existing green This is unsurprising given Karnup cover has been undertaken using iTree encompasses large areas of bushland in RELATIVE CANOPY COVER software, where random point data is conservation reserves, together with rural (Trees only) classified according to the following landholdings which contain significant 3 terrain classes: canopy. Similarly, the suburb of Waikiki includes the bushland within Lake 5 • Canopy (height >3m) 1 Cooloongup Reserve. 2 • Shrubs (height <3m) 9 • Grass The built up industrial character in Port 7 14 • Bare soil Kennedy results in lower canopy levels 10 • Hardstand and importantly, Scientific Park forms a 12 • Built form large part of the suburb where the natural 15 • Water vegetation is predominantly coastal shrubland rather than canopy. There need to assess not only canopy
cover, but also shrubs and grassland, to While trees are recognised as the most cost 8 provide an accurate picture of collective effective tool for achieving urban greening green space, as the City encompasses a benefits, turf and shrubland also play a 6
range of coastal, wetland and bushland role. Turf assists with carbon sequestration 11 environments which naturally have and native shrubland provides important different levels of vegetated cover. habitat for native fauna. The combined 4 tree, shrub and grassland cover at a suburb On the basis of canopy, Karnup is the level can be seen in Figure 3. Figure 2: 13 performing best at a suburb level with Relative canopy cover 29% cover across both public and private On this basis, Port Kennedy actually has realms, followed closely by Waikiki with 76% total green cover, comprised of 38% Legend 27%. Port Kennedy has the lowest level, shrubland, 33% turf and 5% canopy. with just 5% canopy cover (Figure 2). The relative percentages of cover for State road each suburb can be seen in the Suburb Suburb boundary Snapshots in section 7. Percentage tree cover 1. Baldivis 9. Rockingham > 25% 2. Cooloongup 10. Safety Bay 20% – 25% 3. East Rockingham 11. Secret Harbour 4. Golden Bay 12. Shoalwater 15% – 20% 5. Hillman 13. Singleton 10% – 15% 6. Karnup 14. Waikiki 7.5% – 10% 7. Point Peron 15. Warnbro < 7.5% 8. Port Kennedy What is the City’s green cover? 21
The analysis revealed that 14% of the Figure 4: Terrain cover in the City RELATIVE GREEN COVER City’s municipal area is covered by trees (Trees, shrubs and turf) (Figure 4), of which only 2% is located in the public realm, within streets or 3 parkland. This plan is primarily concerned 5 with the protection and enhancement 14% 1 2 of these public trees. The remaining 18% 9 canopy cover occurs on private land or in 7% 7 conservation reserves. 14 2% 10 12 11% 15 14%
34% 8
6
11 Tree Grass Shrub Bare Soil Hardstand Water 4 Builtform Figure 3:
Relative green cover 13 (trees, shrubs and turf)
Legend State road Suburb boundary
Percentage green cover 1. Baldivis 9. Rockingham > 90% 2. Cooloongup 10. Safety Bay 80% – 90% 3. East Rockingham 11. Secret Harbour 14% of the City’s only 2% is located in 4. Golden Bay 12. Shoalwater 70% – 80% 5. Hillman 13. Singleton municipal area is the public realm, within 60% – 70% 6. Karnup 14. Waikiki covered by trees streets or parkland 50% – 60% 7. Point Peron 15. Warnbro < 50% 8. Port Kennedy 22 City of Rockingham | Greening Plan 2017
3.4 Street and parkland trees at a glance 3.4.1 Number 3.4.2 Species composition 3.4.3 Condition 3.4.4 Economic value A total of 46,474 trees were recorded on Species identification was undertaken for Of the 27,988 trees assessed, only 100 The City encompasses over 257 km2 and public land, of which 14,696 occurred a random sample of 27,988 public trees were assigned a health score of poor the total area of canopy cover on public in POS and 31,778 occurred in road and the percentage composition of the and three were recorded as dead, which land is approximately 7.19 km2. The total reserves. The number of public trees in City’s nine most common tree species is equates to 0.22% of total recorded monetary value in terms of pollution and each suburb can be seen on the Suburb (Figure 5). Species not included in the public trees (Figure 6). carbon removal benefits for all trees on Snapshot sheets in Section 8 of this Plan. top ten list are grouped as ‘Other’. public land in the City is estimated to be $584,487 per year, which includes the removal of:
46,474 trees were Figure 5: Urban forest species composition Figure 6: Urban forest condition • Carbon monoxide recorded on public land • Nitrogen dioxide 0.01% • Sulphur dioxide • Carbon dioxide; and POS:14,696 • Particulate matter 19% 19% ROAD RESERVES: 31,778 The monetary value for the sum of 4% 41.09% carbon dioxide stored in these trees was 0.21% estimated using iTree Canopy software to This analysis is expected to be an 4% 16% be over $10,829,900. underestimation of the total number 4% 58.69% of public trees, as not all street and 5% While an economic value can be parkland trees would have been 7% estimated on the basis of carbon manually identified due to the sheer size 7% 15% sequestration and the removal of gases, of the City. However, this information trees enable us to breathe cleaner air and still provides an excellent foundation live healthier lives. As such, it is difficult upon which the City can deliver good to place a dollar value on the range of outcomes for urban greening, with Eucalyptus River Sheoak Dead Good positive flow on effects for the economy the expectation that these figures will Peppermint Olive Poor Not assessed and public health system. continue to be refined over time. Tuart Bottlebrush Norfolk Island Pine Coastal Sheoak London Plane Other TREES WITH A POOR CITY OF ROCKINGHAM: HEALTH SCORE: 0.22% 257 km2
canopy cover on public land: 7.19 km2 What is the City’s green cover? 23
3.4.5 Existing urban CHARACTER ZONES forest management 3 Currently, the City’s Parks Services plants 5 over 1,200 trees per year, in addition to 1 16,000 shrubs, in streetscapes and POS. 2 Last year, 500 of those trees were planted 9 as part of the Winter Street Tree Planting 7 Program, where residents place a request 14 with the City for a free street tree to be 12 10 planted on their verge. 15 TREES PLANTED BY PARKS SERVICES IN POS AND STREETS 1,200 trees/year 8
On average, the City removes 120 public 6 Figure 7: Character zones trees per year for being dead, diseased or 11 dangerous, particularly following major storm events. Legend 4 Road REMOVAL OF dead, diseased Suburb boundary 13 or dangerous TREES: Bush Forever site 120 trees/year Rockingham Lakes regional park (DPaW) Parks and recreation reserve (MRS 2016)
Proposed character zones 3.4.6 Character zones Inland residential Public tree species vary considerably Urban centre across the City, as reflected by the key Industrial character zones in Figure 7. The species 1. Baldivis 6. Karnup 11. Secret Harbour Coastal which fall into each character zone is 2. Cooloongup 7. Point Peron 12. Shoalwater noted in the individual suburb snapshots Rural 3. East Rockingham 8. Port Kennedy 13. Singleton and Appendix A. Foreshore park* 4. Golden Bay 9. Rockingham 14. Waikiki Not applicable 5. Hillman 10. Safety Bay 15. Warnbro
*Defined as west of the most seaward coastal road 24 City of Rockingham | Greening Plan 2017 What are the issues surrounding urban green cover? 25
4 What are the issues surrounding urban green cover?
4.1 Natural decline 4.2 Removal 4.4 Vulnerability Many of the City’s trees are of considerable The City removes trees from public land Various levels of environmental change, age and size. The trees within Churchill where they are assessed as being either which could potentially be associated with and Bell Parks, Rockingham were planted dead, diseased or dangerous, to ensure a warming climate, or the introduction prior to 1950 and the Norfolk Island Pines community safety, with 120 trees per year of pathogens and disease, can result along Arcadia Drive in Safety Bay were removed on average. This number is likely in the decline of trees. It is difficult to planted prior to 1965. to increase as many of the City’s existing predict which species are most susceptible trees reach the end of the lifespan. to potential environmental threats and With this age comes significant aesthetic which species will successfully respond and community value, however, the life and adapt. Lack of diversity presents a expectancy of these trees needs to be 4.3 Fire hazards significant risk to the City’s green capital considered to ensure they are replaced at and as such, it is important to ensure a rate which accounts for natural decline. In 2016, the Map of Bush Fire Prone Areas our urban forest has a diverse range of A robust urban forest requires public trees was published by the Department of Fire species to provide greater resilience and with varying life expectancies and growth and Emergency Services which identifies long term viability for the future. rates to safeguard against large numbers land falling within, or partially within, an of public trees being lost at the same time. area considered prone to bushfires by the Fire and Emergency Services Commissioner. In this regard, the Greening Plan aims to ensure all planting undertaken by the City considers potential bushfire hazard implications and is consistent with best practice in accordance with State Planning Policy 3.7 Planning in Bush Fire Prone Areas and the supporting Guidelines for Planning in Bushfire Prone Areas.Planting must also consider the City’s Community Plan Strategy: Bushfire Risk Mitigation. 26 City of Rockingham | Greening Plan 2017
4.5 Infrastructure restrictions 4.6 Vandalism 4.7 Development Planting trees in streetscapes represents a These competing uses for verge space, Street trees are particularly susceptible Clearing for development can result significant opportunity to provide an even together with the current trends for to damage, either indirectly through in substantial losses of green cover on distribution of urban greening throughout increased urban density, mean that the verge parking or intentionally through private land. With competing engineering the City’s suburbs. Street trees are retention and provision of trees within acts of vandalism. While this inadvertent and drainage requirements at play, the situated in the verge (the space between developments can be difficult to achieve. In damage may result in seemingly small potential to retain remnant trees in the private property line and the road) established suburbs like Shoalwater, verges losses in tree cover, the collective impact greenfield development sites presents a which is also required to accommodate a may be as wide as 13m allowing ample on tree canopy targets across the City significant challenge. range of utilities such as: room for the provision of street trees. can be significant. Often this vandalism Conversely, the area remaining in the occurs where there is a lack of community In these areas, the creation of new POS • Stormwater drainage verge for tree planting in some residential support for the provision of street trees, and streetscapes is accompanied with tree areas of Baldivis can be just 0.6m. due to impingement on views, a desire planting and landscaping works, which • Street lighting to increase parking space or to minimize assists in providing a foundation for the Spatial constraints and surrounding establishment of urban greening and • Electricity potential maintenance requirements. infrastructure for the most part dictate neighbourhood character. • Landscaping and furniture the potential for tree planting in vacant In this regard, the City will aim to avoid At a smaller scale, infill development in i.e. footpaths, benches; and spaces, highlighting the importance of the obstruction of views by aligning planting the right tree in the right place. street tree spacing with lot boundaries established suburbs can result in a loss • Embayments for parking or Incompatible planting can result in adverse where appropriate. In locations where the of significant trees from private land. In public transport. impacts to services and infrastructure, poor retention of views is an issue, residents Rockingham, Safety Bay or Hillman for tree survival and subsequent tree removal should be reminded of the benefits and example, there are residential bocks with in the future. For any identified vacant values of trees and the community’s vision large remnant trees which are unlikely to space, the existing site conditions and to ensure a sustainable City for the future. be retained if these blocks are subdivided nearby infrastructure must be considered or redeveloped in the future. to ensure management resources are effectively utilised. What are the issues surrounding urban green cover? 27 28 City of Rockingham | Greening Plan 2017 29
5 What does the City stand to lose? An evaluation of potential threats to the urban forest was undertaken and on this basis, it is estimated that the City could POTENTIAL LOSS OF GREEN potentially stand to lose 2% of existing COVER IN 5 YEARS: canopy cover over the next five years as a result of anticipated rates of natural decline or development (areas zoned Development or with approved Local Structure Plans) 2% (Figure 8).
14% 12% 13%
2016 2021 2021
86% 88% 87%
Current Losses after 5 years At current rate of planting (1200/year)
Figure 8: Existing green cover (2016) [left], estimated green cover based Trees on potential losses over next five years [centre] and estimated green Non-canopy cover after five years at our current rate of tree planting [right] 30 City of Rockingham | Greening Plan 2017 What are the opportunities to improve green cover in the public realm? 31 6 What are the opportunities to improve green cover in the public realm? Land in the public realm under Nevertheless, there is typically more room Given the City has an abundance of Figure 9 illustrates a typical established management by the City to accommodate large trees within POS vacant tree spaces, recommended suburb, with the red hatched area compared to street verges. Parkland trees planting priorities for implementation delineating the road reservation from presents a significant opportunity are relatively easy to manage as they are detailed in Section 9 of this Plan were private property. Note that in Plate 1, to improve the trajectory of our less subject to inadvertent damage and determined on the basis that integrator most of the trees and green cover occurs green cover, with the greatest infrastructure restrictions. Planting in POS and neighbourhood connector roads on private property. Plate 2 shows what opportunity occurring at street also ensures the urban forest includes are often key to the broad character of the area might look like if all of those large trees which would not be considered a suburb and should be planted first, lots were subdivided and that vegetation level. This is because road suitable for planting in most streetscapes. while aiming to plant the many access was lost. Plate 3 illustrates how street verges account for the most As such, this Plan focuses on achieving a level residential streets and areas of POS tree planting can play a significant role in vacant planting space by area balance of POS and street tree planting. progressively into the future. accounting for losses on private property and are integrated with urban to achieve a balance between green cover Focusing planting in this and housing density. land use where the benefits of 15% occurs in POS and way will have the advantage greening are most relevant. of enhancing ecosystem Nevertheless, it must be noted that the 85% occurs in road reserves services within urban areas as retention of trees on private property is road networks and POS are always of paramount importance, which A total of 2106.39 ha of vacant space essentially corridors that, if planted, may the City’s Environmental Planning Strategy 2106.39 ha of vacant was identified on public land with improve ecological connectivity and ensure will aim to address, consistent Department space was identified potential for planting trees, of which the positive impacts of urban greening are of Planning guidance documents, such as IN STREETS AND POS 322.08 ha occurs in POS and 1784.31 evenly distributed across the City. the Design WA Guidelines. ha occurs in road reserves (15% and 85% respectively. It is estimated that Figure 9 and 10 overleaf illustrate the Figure 10 depicts the importance of street this vacant space is sufficient for the City opportunity to improve the trajectory trees in a typical new suburb, where to plant over 74,700 large trees, which of green cover with street tree planting, smaller lots and smaller backyards result in 74,700 at maturity would each have a canopy of relative to the potential losses observed in little to no green space on private property. Large trees approximately 100 m2, or to plant an even new and established neighbourhoods. greater number of small and medium trees. 32 City of Rockingham | Greening Plan 2017
Figure 9: Typical established suburb [Plate 1], with potential losses of green cover on private property due to subdivision [Plate 2] and how this loss can be potentially offset with street trees [Plate 3]
PLATE 1: TYPICAL ESTABLISHED SUBURB
PLATE 2: POTENTIONAL LOSS OF GREEN COVER ON PRIVATE PROPERTY PLATE 3: POTENTIAL OFFSET WITH STREET TREES What are the opportunities to improve green cover in the public realm? 33
Figure 10: A typical new suburb with little to no green space on private property [left] and the potential to enhance green cover through street tree planting [right].
PLATE 4: MINIMAL GREEN SPACE PLATE 5: ENHANCED GREEN COVER 34 City of Rockingham | Greening Plan 2017
Figure 11: Existing streets in Baldivis [top] and positive impact on streetscape amenity with potential tree planting [bottom]
EXISTING STREETSCAPE
POTENTIAL STREETSCAPE What are the opportunities to improve green cover in the public realm? 35 36 City of Rockingham | Greening Plan 2017
Figure12: Difference in average street temperature, the shaded street is 3.5 degrees cooler. 60.8˚C
Shaded street: 58˚C Civic Boulevard, Rockingham 56˚C
Average street 54˚C temperature: 52˚C 45.3˚C 50˚C
48˚C
46˚C Partly shaded street: Syren Street, 44˚C Rockingham 42˚C Average street temperature: 40˚C
46.2˚C 38˚C
36˚C
34˚C
Unshaded street: 32˚C Chalgrove Avenue, Rockingham 30˚C
Average street 28˚C temperature: 26˚C GREENING PRINCIPLE 1 48.8˚C All built-up urban environments within 24˚C the City must be accompanied with street 23.1˚C and parkland trees to reduce potential UHI effects, prioritising areas such as car parks, shopping precincts and industrial areas. What are the opportunities to improve green cover in the public realm? 37
6.1 Urban Heat Island impacts The Urban Heat Island (UHI) effect is a well understood phenomenon whereby urban areas can urban areas can be 2.5 - 4.5˚C hotter than surrounding rural environments, be 2.5 - 4.5˚C hotter as solar radiation is absorbed, stored and reflected by hard built form such as roads and buildings (Akbari et al. Trees can 2001; Voogt 2002). Higher temperatures directly decrease within cities as a result of the UHI effect, the surrounding together with anticipated increases in air temperature temperature due to climate change, are by 5 C likely to negatively impact liveability and ˚ community health and wellbeing (Voogt 2002). This is particularly pertinent given that in Australia, heat waves claim more 6.2 Tree spacing human lives than any other natural hazard Trees should be spaced according to their (Nicholls et al. 2008). expected mature canopy size with the aim of establishing contiguous canopy Urban green cover plays a critical role in cover and therefore delivering maximum mitigating the UHI effect, by shading and benefit wherever possible. Appropriate cooling our urban environments. Trees tree spacing is not only important for can directly decrease the surrounding the provision of shade, but also ensures air temperature by 5˚C (McPherson et vigour and longevity as trees have al. 2006), as well as lowering cooling sufficient room to grow. and energy requirements of surrounding buildings. Indirectly, large scale tree planting can also lower the energy usage of a whole city (Akbari et al. 2001).
Figure 12 left provides an example of GREENING PRINCIPLE 2 observed temperature differences between Spacing must be sufficient to shaded, partly shaded and unshaded streets support mature tree size, with in Rockingham. The images were taken continuous and connected using an infrared camera at 1 o’clock on a 32 degree day. The shaded street was 3.5 canopy cover in streetscapes degrees cooler than the unshaded street. wherever possible. 38 City of Rockingham | Greening Plan 2017
6.3 Species selection Urban areas are harsh environments for Spatial constraints trees, with compacted soil, restricted root Spatial constraints are to be assessed site zones, too much heat or too much shade, specific basis to determine the suitability of modified water patterns and exposure a space for street tree planting, including: to damage. Spatial constraints also limit which trees can be planted. • Verge width, • Length and shape, As such, the establishment of a healthy • Building set back, urban forest cannot be achieved without • Overhead power lines, appropriate species selection. While • Vehicle and pedestrian access, recommended species are provided • Street lighting; and in Appendix A according to existing • Sightlines. character zones, species selection must be site specific to ensure the right Tree clear zones tree is planted in the right place with Available verge space for tree planting in consideration for the following factors: urban areas must also meet the minimum clear zone requirements and setbacks from the road relative to vehicle speeds, in accordance with Liveable Neighbourhoods (DoP, 2009) (Table 2).
GREENING PRINCIPLE 3 Species selection must consider separation requirements, verge widths and surrounding infrastructure restrictions, while acknowledging that the provision of public trees is paramount, irrespective of the challenges. What are the opportunities to improve green cover in the public realm? 39
Table 2: Tree clear zones for urban streets Figure 13: Typical verge service locations Frangible tree Non frangible Design speed (trunk tree* (trunk Street type (km/hr) <100 mm) >100 mm)
Integrator A and Integrator B 70 2.5 m 2.75 m
60 2.0 m 2.5 m
Neighbourhood connectors 50 0.75 m 1.15 m and 50 km/hr Intregrator Bs
Access street 50 or less 0.75 m 0.75 m
Notes: 1. Measurements determined to suit typical tree location in the medians and verge. Located to suit spacings of underground services as per Figure 13. 2. Clear zone dimensions to suit typical median widths and tree species for urban conditions. STREET TREES TO BE PLANTED WITH CENTRE OF TRUNK 2.4-3.0m FROM LOT 3. * Measurements are from edge of vehicle travel lane to the near edge BOUNDARY of mature tree trunk. For typical medium-trunk trees of around 500 mm diameter, add 0.25 m to get distance to tree planting line. For large trees of around 1 m diameter, add 0.5 m to get distance to tree planting line. 4. In areas with parking embayments, trees may be placed in kerb nibs and above clearances do not apply.
450/600mm Utilities Overhead power lines 600mm The location of a street tree within the Western Power stipulated that the 750mm
1200mm verge must also be consistent with the minimum clearance for power lines is POWER POLES AND COMMS/ STREET TRUNK Utility Providers Code of Practice (MRWA, typically 2.5m to the side and 2 meters POWER COMMS GAS WATER TREES SERVICES STORMWATER 2010) to minimize potential for conflict below in urban areas, with no vegetation 500mm with essential services and infrastructure. above the power lines. These clear zones 1300mm 1800mm 2400mm 3000mm 4200mm 4500mm 5000mm
are necessary as power lines swing and BOUNDARY LOT sag in varying temperatures and weather conditions. Both the City and Western Power are responsible for maintaining clearance from trees on public land, including those within the verge. 40 City of Rockingham | Greening Plan 2017
6.4 Native vs non native Tree species vary in their ability to deliver Furthermore, the deciduous nature the full range of social, environmental and of non-natives is often well suited to economic benefits and the argument of urban centres as they offer shade in native vs non-native species is often at the summer but allow sunlight to filter into centre of this debate. buildings during winter, although the maintenance effort for deciduous trees is Research has shown than many non- considerably more labour intensive during native trees have a much greater cooling autumn months when leaves are falling. effect than native species because of Deciduous trees should also be avoided their structure. Non-natives, such as in the vicinity of stormwater bioretention London Planes which perform well in basins as detritus can break down and streetscapes and parks, have dense impact infiltration performance. thick foliage, broader leaves and larger canopies compared to native species, such Native trees are evergreen and drop a as Tuarts, which have a relatively sparse small amount of leaf litter throughout canopy and narrow leaves. the year, while also providing an invaluable contribution to the urban forest by establishing ecological linkages across the landscape.
GREENING PRINCIPLE 4 Non-native trees are preferred in circumstances where they are considered more likely to thrive and deliver benefits in urban centres, or where they provide known feeding habitat for Black Cockatoos. What are the opportunities to improve green cover in the public realm? 41
6.5 Habitat corridors Urban expansion on the Swan Coastal Habitat corridors can be established Plain and associated clearing of native across the landscape by using native vegetation has led to significant species in streetscapes and parkland, as fragmentation and habitat loss for native well as in backyards. Collectively, these flora and fauna. As a consequence of native species form small stepping stones this loss, remaining intact habitat on of habitat which enables the movement the Swan Coastal Plain is considered and dispersal of native flora and fauna regionally significant for conservation. between larger patches of habitat and Many small habitat remnants are across the urban environment. protected in nature reserves within the City; however, they are much more These corridors of native vegetation susceptible to disturbance from episodic also offer habitat for birds to forage natural or anthropogenic events. and nest. Non-native species can also perform this function, for example non- This is particularly likely where patches of native pine plantations are recognised habitat are bordered by large uninhabitable as an important food source for the urban areas. Maintaining continuity in the endangered Carnaby’s Black Cockatoo, form of habitat corridors is particularly in addition to other non-native trees important so that ecological assemblage including Jacarandas and Tipuanas. and genetic diversity are maintained over a wider area in the event that smaller areas are degraded or destroyed.
GREENING PRINCIPLE 5 Native trees are preferred where appropriate for the site conditions and particularly in locations directly abutting conservation reserves or in areas of POS outside urban centres, to establish corridors of native habitat across the City. 42 City of Rockingham | Greening Plan 2017
6.6 Resilience As discussed in Section 4.4, a lack of Species diversity needs to be carefully diversity presents a significant risk to the balanced with the need to establish City’s green capital in the event that certain and maintain existing character within species become susceptible to the impacts streets and parks. At a local scale, trees of disease or changes in the environment. species within individual streets and parks Diversification is a basic rule for reducing should be uniform to create and enhance risk. A greater range of species will character. At a municipal scale, a variety of provide greater resilience and long term tree species are to be planted each year. stability for the City’s urban forest.
GREENING PRINCIPLE 6 No individual tree species should be over represented across the municipal area, to ensure a diverse urban forest. What are the opportunities to improve green cover in the public realm? 43
6.7 Character Trees play a critical role creating a In this way, the City aims to retain character unique sense of place. They contribute by ensuring tree planting is in keeping significantly to neighbourhood character with existing tree species, for example and enhance the amenity of our public Norfolk Island Pines are to be planted spaces. This sense of character and along Arcadia Drive, Safety Bay and place is predominantly created through Tuarts and Peppermints are to be planted uniformity. A lack of uniformity can not in Churchill and Bell Parks, Rockingham. only diminish streetscape character, but Street tree planting should also aim to can also be more difficult to manage as a create character where there isn’t any, by result of the maintenance requirements of continually working to ensure that over different tree species. time, all streets are lined with uniform tree planting. As such, it is the City’s preference for a street tree to be provided for every lot, to the satisfaction of the City, in new developments.
GREENING PRINCIPLE 7 Wherever possible, tree planting in individual streets must be uniform, with either a single species or a consistent pattern, to establish and enhance streetscape character and sense of place. 44 City of Rockingham | Greening Plan 2017
6.8 Size matters Large trees have bigger canopies and Various site restrictions, such as the are therefore able to provide maximum location of existing infrastructure and benefit. They can sequester up to 90% services, means planting large trees is more carbon dioxide, remove more air not always feasible, highlighting the pollution, provide greater reduction in importance of planting large trees storm water flows, have greater cooling wherever possible. Planting a small effect and more economic benefits tree in a large verge or spacious park is compared to smaller trees (Beecham & considered a lost opportunity to increase Lucke, 2015). urban canopy cover and enhance amenity.
Examples of small, medium and large trees recommended for use within the City’s POS and road reserves can be found in Appendix A.
GREENING PRINCIPLE 8 Plant the biggest tree a site can accommodate, appropriate to existing character and surrounding infrastructure. What are the opportunities to improve green cover in the public realm? 45
6.9 Health and longevity As discussed, the health and longevity Many of the City’s public trees are well of the urban greening is largely reliant over 60 years old. For the City to maintain upon planting the right tree in the right its existing canopy cover and amenity, it is place. However, the systematic renewal critical that all trees in decline are recorded and replacement of existing trees is also and that all public trees removed are important. This requires an understanding replaced with an equivalent species. Where of the Useful Life Expectancy (ULE) of it is no longer appropriate for a tree to be trees, together with accurate records of planted in the same location (i.e. due to tree removal, in order to sustain a vibrant road widening), the removal must be offset urban forest for the future. like for like with a street or parkland tree as close to the site as practicable. ULE is an estimate of how long a tree is likely to remain in the landscape based The City already maintains a on health and amenity, rather than comprehensive inventory of all assets, viewing biological age in isolation. This with every park bench, water fountain concept is more applicable to public and street light mapped and recorded. trees due to the many other factors While our public trees are most certainly requiring consideration for management, an asset for the community, they are not including tree survival in the harsh urban currently recorded in the same manner. environment and potential risks to public The establishment of a Tree Inventory safety as trees age. will allow the City to better manage maintenance activities and to monitor the removal and health urban greening.
GREENING PRINCIPLE 9 Public trees are a City asset and should only be removed as a last resort. Every public tree removed must be replaced with an advanced tree of the same species in the same location within 12 months, appropriate to site conditions 46 City of Rockingham | Greening Plan 2017
7 How do we get there? By capitalising on the identified opportunities and with consideration for the key greening principles, the City aims to achieve the following Green Goals. To support the implementation and achievement of these goals, detailed information is provided specific to each suburb in Section 7 of this Plan.
7.1. Green Goal One: Improve the trajectory of the City’s green cover
This target has been established through Figure 14: Canopy targets an assessment of existing cover and potential losses due to urban development 15 and natural decline, together with the number of vacant spaces which could 14 potentially accommodate tree planting within streetscapes and POS. Potential trajectory 13 The estimated trajectory is based on the assumption that trees planted will have 12 a medium to large canopy at maturity
(Figure 14). This target is still achievable Canopy cover (%) 11 by planting smaller trees; however, a Current trajectory greater number would be required to establish the equivalent canopy cover over 10 25 years. On this basis, planting numbers recommended in this plan can be adjusted 5 10 15 20 25 to achieve this target as required based on Time (years) the assumption that 4 small trees would have a similar canopy cover as 2 medium trees or 1 large tree. This highlights Target: Achieve 14.5% canopy cover over 25 years the importance of planting large trees wherever possible in accordance with Greening Principle 8. How do we get there? 47
14% 13%
86% 87%
Current Canopy cover with current rate of planting Canopy (1200 trees/year)
14.5% 20%
85.5% 80%
Canopy cover with increased rate of Canopy cover the City is ultimately planting to 3000 trees/year working towards
Figure 15: Projected changes in canopy cover Trees Non-canopy 48 City of Rockingham | Greening Plan 2017
This may seem minimal given that current The targets for changes in the City’s Works to achieve these targets will be The implementation of this Plan canopy cover is 14%, however, this canopy cover following implementation of undertaken by the City’s Parks Services focuses primarily on tree planting, as actually equates to an 18.7% increase in this Plan are shown in Table 3. Note that team, as per the implementation table in trees are considered to provide the canopy cover in the public realm, with the the columns on the left indicate predicted Section 9 which outlines priority areas for greatest level of environmental, social area of canopy increasing over time as change in canopy cover across the entire tree planting within each suburb over the and economic benefits. However, the newly planted trees reach maturity. municipal area (private and public land), next five years. Plan also acknowledges the importance while the right hand columns show predicted of all types of green cover, particularly change in canopy cover within the public as tall trees would not naturally occur 18.7% increase realm (road reserves and POS). Negative Target: Achieve 29% in some of the City’s wetland and in canopy cover targets take into account potential losses green cover (trees and coastal environments. across the City due to development in in the public realm the short term, which is likely to be shrubs) over 25 years counteracted as newly planted trees mature.
Table 3: Predicted changes in canopy cover over the next 5 and 25 years, Figure 16: Green cover targets with consideration for potential losses and the implementation of this Plan. 33 Change in canopy cover total (%) Change in canopy cover public land (%)
25 years 5 years 25 years 5 years 32
0.5% -0.3% 18.7% 3.7% 31
30 ASPIRATIONAL TARGET: 29 The City is ultimately working towards a Any increase in planting numbers Potential trajectory Canopy and shrub cover (%) canopy cover of 20% through continued would be subject to securing necessary 28 Current trajectory planting beyond the five year timeframe resources in the Parks Services budget of this plan. In theory, to achieve 20% relative to other priorities. 5 10 15 20 25 after 5 years would require 10,000 trees Time (years) per year to be planted, almost 10 times the City’s current effort. How do we get there? 49
The City currently has a total of 32% Actions: green cover, which is comprised of 14% i. Plant at least 15,000 trees over the v. Continue the establishment and tree cover (>3m) and 18% shrub cover next five years within streetscapes maintenance of a range of garden (<3m). Currently, this is predicted to and POS, as per the implementation beds and turfed areas which reduce to 28% with potential losses from outlined in Section 9. This equates collectively contribute to the City’s development and natural decline. The City to 3000 trees per year which is more total area of green space. aims to improve the trajectory of total than double what the City planted green cover not only through medium to in the 2014/15 financial year. vi. Investigate suitable mechanisms to large tree planting in accordance with this ensure tree plantings are factored Plan, but by continuing to plant smaller ii. The City will investigate appropriate into the early stages of planning trees and native shrubland within POS planning mechanisms to protect for all of the City’s capital works, and streetscapes, resulting in green cover individual trees on private property including upgrades to roads, car being 29% after 25 years (Figure 14). through the development of an parks, footpaths and POS Environmental Planning Strategy. The aggregate extent of green cover in vii. Investigate suitable mechanisms to the City can be influenced greatly by iii. The City’s new Local Planning support the provision of a street tree shrubland planting on private property. Strategy and Town Planning Scheme for every lot in new developments. The use of native species in residential are to effectively prioritise and viii. Develop a Public Open Space gardens also has positive flow on effects provide for the protection of the Strategy outlining the City’s by reducing ambient temperatures City’s environmentally significant expectations for tree retention around the home and by providing small areas on private land. and provision in POS. ecological links for birds and other species iv. New trees planted in accordance in an urban environment. with this Plan must also account for ix. Investigate suitable policies and necessary maintenance to support procedures to support retention of establishment of trees, including the trees on private landholdings. use of a watering truck and mulch. 15,000 trees over x. Identify and plant existing arbors
within City managed parkland. The next five years
50 City of Rockingham | Greening Plan 2017
7.2 Green Goal Two: Encourage community 7.3 Green Goal Three: involvement in urban greening Protect and maintain our green assets The following measures will be undertaken to help raise community awareness of the While planting new public trees is important to account for potential losses on private benefits of urban greening and promote support for this Plan, acknowledging that land, these trees will take many years to reach maturity. Therefore, maintain existing community support can greatly influence the trajectory of the City’s green cover, with canopy cover provides a foundation upon which improvements may be made. 80% of trees occurring on private land.
Actions: Actions: i. Investigate suitable mechanisms to v. Where appropriate, ensure that any i. Update the City’s website regularly iv. Update the City’s Street Tree Planting ensure existing street and parkland public tree removed is replaced like to enable the community to List for character zone consistency trees are protected from damage as for like within 12 months, consistent access information relating to the a result of construction and other with Greening Principle 9. Greening Plan. v. Establish a Native Gardens Program, works in the City. whereby the City provides free native vi. Update the City’s GIS database to ii. Promote the existing Winter Street plants to residents to establish low ii. The City will investigate appropriate establish a Tree Inventory. Tree Planting Program, whereby maintenance and water wise green planning mechanisms to protect residents can request a tree to be spaces in their gardens individual trees on private property vii. Maintain the City’s Tree Inventory to planted on their verge through the development of an record and monitor tree maintenance vi. Promote urban greening programs Environmental Planning Strategy. and management activities. iii. Liaise with residents regarding and initiatives through the City’s suitable tree planting relative to Facebook page, City Chronicle and iii. The City’s new Local Planning viii. All street and parkland trees their location and verge size Community Libraries. Strategy and Town Planning planted in new developments are Scheme are to effectively prioritise to be recorded on the database. and provide for the protection ix. Undertake regular audits of public of the City’s environmentally trees to improve database accuracy. significant areas on private land.
iv. Plan for the gradual and timely replacement of street and parkland trees as they reach the end of their Useful Life Expectancy, prioritising areas where there are large number of trees expected to reach the end of their lifespan in the same timeframe, or where loss of trees will have a significant impact on amenity, such as in key parkland areas and streetscapes. How do we get there? 51
7.4 Green Goal Four: 7.5 Green Goal Five: Plant the right tree in the right place Ensure a diverse urban forest Planting the right tree in the right place The City invests considerable resources Research suggests that to achieve best The intent is for this target, as shown in is important to ensure the City’s urban into tree planting annually and it is practise urban forest diversity, the Figure 17, to provide overarching guidance forest is healthy and capable of making important that maximum benefits are representation of any one species should only and under no circumstance should a long term contribution to community being realised relative to this effort. not exceed 10% (Santamour, 1990, Miller over represented species be removed to wellbeing, together with enhancing and Miller 1991, Jaenson et al. 1992). facilitate achievement of this target. the amenity and character of our public The City’s current species composition spaces. No matter how many trees are is indicated in Figure 17, based on an Target: No more than 10% of planted, if the species selected is not assessment of 27,988 public trees. Note the urban forest should suitable, they are likely to exhibit poor that the results may be skewed relative to be comprised of trees growth and structure and may ultimately the areas surveyed and as such, this data from the same species require removal. provides a high level indication only.
Figure 17: Best practise species diversity targets Actions: 20 i. All tree planting must be iii. Ensure tree planting opportunities undertaken with consideration are integrated during urban 15 for the Greening Principles. water management planning in RECOMMENDED accordance with Water Sensitive Tuart 10 Norfolk Island Pine London Plane ii. Undertake an annual review Urban Design best management River Sheoak
of tree planting relative to the Olive Bottlebrush Coast Sheoak practices and principles. Peppermint implementation schedule in this 5
Plan and discuss lessons learnt of public trees Percent with regard to tree selection and Note: A large number of Eucalyptus species (in addition to Tuarts) were recorded across the City but observed planting success. were not identified to species level due to the sheer number. Collectively, Eucalyptus spp. made up 19% of the urban forest, although no one species was over represented.
Actions: i. Undertake an annual review iii. Review the Greening Plan of tree species planted by both implementation schedule as Parks Services and developers to required following the Local determine if the City is effectively Biodiversity Assessments being working towards this goal. undertaken to inform the development of the Local Planning ii. Undertake a detailed inventory of Strategy, particularly with regard public tree species to provide a more to priority ecological linkages and accurate baseline against which species opportunities to improve ecosystem diversity targets may be monitored. services in an urban setting. 52 City of Rockingham | Greening Plan 2017 Suburb Snapshots 53
8 Suburb Snapshots
Section Suburb Page
8.1 Baldivis 54
8.2 Cooloongup 62
8.3 East Rockingham 66
8.4 Golden Bay 70
8.5 Hillman 74
8.6 Karnup 78
8.7 Port Kennedy 80
8.8 Rockingham 84
8.9 Safety Bay 88
8.10 Secret Harbour 92
8.11 Shoalwater 96
8.12 Singleton 100
8.13 Waikiki 104
8.14 Warnbro 108 54 City of Rockingham | Greening Plan 2017
8.1 Baldivis
Overview Character description Baldivis is the largest suburb with the City Residential Baldivis: a range of species of Rockingham located approximately have been planted throughout this zone 10 km inland of the coast. Historically, associated with the different housing Baldivis has been a predominantly rural developments. Moving forward, native area, supporting a range of agricultural trees are to be prioritised. A broad land uses. In recent years, Baldivis has selection of Australian native species undergone considerable urbanisation has been included on the recommended and now contains numerous housing planting list (Appendix A) to provide estates. The suburb contains a number flexibility relative to site conditions. of conservation significant wetlands, in addition to remnant woodlands of Tuart Rural: characterised by gently undulating, (Eucalyptus gomphocephala), Jarrah open areas of pasture and pockets of (Eucalyptus marginata), Marri (Corymbia remnant vegetation. Only species native calophylla) and Banksia spp. As such, this to the region are recommended within area provides significant habitat value for a this zone. range of native fauna, including Carnaby’s Urban centre: the Baldivis Town Centre is Black Cockatoo (endangered) and located on Safety Bay Road, with a second Red-tailed Black Cockatoo (threatened). urban centre being further developed on
Kerosene Lane. The Baldivis Town Centre
contains non-native deciduous trees around
built form such as Bradford Pear (Pyrus
calleryana) and London Planes (Platanus
× acerifolia), with a number of Eucalyptus
spp. on the periphery. This character is to
be maintained and enhanced.
Please refer to Appendix A for the recommended species relative to these character zones. Suburb Snapshots 55
Key considerations Public trees at a glance • Priority area to establish ecological Canopy cover on Baldivis linkages with native species, between Percentage terrain cover Species diversity public vs private land areas of conservation significance
• Priority area to mitigate urban heat 4% island effects 10% 7% 6% 20% • Opportunity to enhance green cover 3% 3% 32% with large trees in areas of POS 1% 2% 5% 5% • Suitable vacant verges provide 2% significant opportunity to establish 6% 5% street trees 13% • Opportunity to enhance character with 58% uniform planting that complements 25% 93% existing mature street trees
• Plantings will need to be consistent with SPP 3.7 and the City’s Bushfire Tree Hardstand Eucalyptus Paperbark Private Public Risk Management Plan Bare Soil Shurb Tuart Chinese Elm Builtform Water London Plane Ornamental Pear • Opportunity to improve green cover Grass Jacaranda Cottonwood and streetscape character on key Peppermint Other roads (Safety Bay Road, Nairn Drive).
Existing number public trees
POS ROADS TOTAL 4,345 6,574 10,919 56 City of Rockingham | Greening Plan 2017
Implementation
Street Character # trees Street Character # trees Street Character # trees
Abington Avenue RB 40 Fifty Road, McDonald Road RB 30 Norseman Approach U 10 to Nairn Drive (median Amazon Drive RB 20 Norwood Avenue RB 30 and verge) Area south of Tamworth RB 50 Patron Road and RB 40 Goulburn Road U 10 Blvd, north of Mennock App Baystone Road Greenock Road RB 30 Baldivis Road, Makybe Drive RB 100 Pemberton Boulevard RB 50 Heritage Park Drive, Coolibah RB 50 to Highbury Blvd Pike Road R 50 (along median) Way to Furioso Grn Safety Bay Rd, Baldivis Rd U 70 Kendall Blvd RB 50 Baldivis Road, Pemberton RB 30 to Nairn Drive (southern Blvd to Amazon Drive Kerosene Lane, Jennings RB 30 verge and median) (western verge) Way to Annabelle Way Safety Bay Rd, Kwinana RB 80 (median and verge) Blaxland Terrace RB 30 Freeway to Baldivis Road Kulija Road, Kwinana R 200 Bramall Tce, Nairn Dirve to RB 40 Smirk Rd RB 100 Makybe Drive Freeway to Millar Road Tamworth Blvd, Baldivis Rd RB 20 Makybe Drive RB 50 Brennan Promenade RB 90 to Nairn Drive Mennock Approach U 10 Bristlebird App (Kagu Way, RB 40 Total street trees 2,380 Wanderer Pwy), from Nairn Nairn Drive, Blaxland RB 350 Drive to Eighty Rd Terrace to Ridge Blvd*
Clyde Avenue, Nairn Drive RB 50 Nairn Drive, Fifty Road RB 200 to Baldivis Road to Fairchild Road*
Fairchild Drive and RB 30 Nairn Drive/Eighty Road, RB 400 Elderberry Drive Burch Way to Fifty Road* *Planting on Nairn Drive subject to future upgrade works
Character zones: C Coastal F Foreshore I Industrial R Rural RB Residential Baldivis U Urban centre Suburb Snapshots 57
Public Open Space Character # trees Public Open Space Character # trees Public Open Space Character # trees
1. Elderberry Reserve RB 80 26. Diamondbird Reserve RB 10 50. Kenndel Reserve RB 10 2. Whitehart Easement RB 70 27. Jerboa Green RB 10 51. Mentor Street Reserve RB 10 Baldivis 3. Spinifex Reserve RB 60 28. Kingaroy Reserve RB 10 52. Monument Reserve RB 10
4. Norseman Reserve RB 50 29. Lamorak RB 10 53. Overton Lane Reserve RB 10
5. Campolina Reserve RB 40 30. Len Pike Park RB 10 54. Palomino Reserve RB 10
6. Hathaway Reserve RB 40 31. Stillwater Reserve RB 10 55. Pemberton Reserve North RB 10
7. Maiden Reserve RB 40 32. Tranby Reserve RB 10 56. Pemberton Reserve South RB 10
8. Selina Reserve RB 40 33. Appaloosa Reserve RB 10 57. Peverett Park RB 10
9. The Hawthorns Easement RB 40 34. Ardea Way Reserve RB 10 58. Pinnacle Reserve RB 10
10. Burlington Reserve RB 30 35. Atherstone Reserve RB 10 59. Province Reserve RB 10
11. Camley Fairway Reserve RB 30 36. Liddard Gardens RB 10 60. Smirk Reserve RB 10
12. Wise Meander Reserve RB 30 37. Birdsville Reserve RB 10 61. Steer Reserve RB 10
13. Ballaballa Reserve RB 20 38. Blaxland Reserve RB 10 62. Tintagel RB 10
14. Liesham Crescent RB 20 39. Breton reserve RB 10 63. Tribute Reserve RB 10
15. Notman Reserve RB 20 40. Cervantes Reserve RB 10 64. Trusty Park RB 10
16. St James Dr Reserve RB 10 41. Clyde/Vernon RB 10 65. Villa Park Reserve RB 10 Gough Reserve 17. Bonnington Reserve RB 10 66. Willow Reserve RB 10 42. Colonial Reserve RB 10 18. Bravo Reserve RB 10 67. Ballaballa Reserve South RB 10 19. Chelsea Way Reserve RB 10 43. Coolimba Turn Drainage RB 10 Total POS trees 1,140 20. Elm Reserve RB 10 44. Elland Way RB 10 21. Rushmore RB 10 45. Furnivall reserve RB 10 Public trees to be planted in Baldivis 22. Timbarra Reserve RB 10 46. Gillespie Reserve RB 10 23. Zedora Reserve RB 20 47. Grail Reserve RB 10 3,520
24. Ingarfield Green RB 10 48. Highbury Reserve RB 10 This means the number of Baldivis public trees 25. Delta Reserve RB 10 49. Hocking Reserve RB 10 will increase by 32% over 5 years 58 City of Rockingham | Greening Plan 2017
PRIORITY PLANTING LOCATIONS