The WA Government’s Urban Greening Grants Program has returned for a third round, with $1.6 million worth of grants to be made available to local governments throughout the Perth and Peel regions.
Additional funding for urban canopy comes after the State Government committed $7.2 million to recovering trees lost to polyphagous shot-hole borer (PSHB).
Through a funding agreement with the Department of Water and Environmental Regulation (DWER), the Western Australian Local Government Association (WALGA) will allocate money distributed through the Urban Greening Grants Program’s latest round.
“WALGA is very pleased to administer the Urban Greening Grants Program, helping to increase our tree canopy and make our communities better places to live,” said WALGA president, Karen Chappel.
“Thank you to Minister Whitby and the Department of Water and Environment and Regulation for partnering up with WALGA on the grants, and well done to all the councils that successfully applied in round two.”
It’s expected local governments will plant trees and understorey vegetation during winter 2025.
More than $1.7 million has already been allocated through the program, which is improving urban canopy and understorey vegetation that will help cool Perth and Peel by providing shade and creating habitat and nature links.
It complements the Government’s recent announcement that it will invest $7.2 million to plant 16,000 trees after tree losses due to PSHB.
Local governments and other government agencies will receive sufficient funding to plant up to three trees for every one that has been lost to PSHB, with private landholders also eligible to apply for and receive funds under the program.
“Increasing urban canopy is one of the simplest ways we can fight climate change,” said Environment Minister, Reece Whitby.
“This funding will support local governments throughout Perth and Peel to create greener, leafier – and importantly, more liveable – communities.”
