Moonee Valley Council Urban Forest Strategy among most impressive in the world

Efforts to clean, beautify and create shade in the northwest have created some of the best streets in Australia and launched a council onto the international stage.

Moonee Valley Mayor Narelle Sharpe said the council was honoured to be short-listed for an international wellbeing award. Picture: Rob Leeson.

Moonee Valley streets may be the healthiest in Australia after the council’s urban forest strategy was short-listed for a global wellbeing award.

The international Wellbeing City Awards recognise councils from across the world placing health and happiness at the centre of urban design.

Moonee Valley was the only council in Australia short-listed for the award for its Enhancing our Urban Forest initiative.

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Mayor Narelle Sharpe said the council was honoured to be short-listed.

“Our community told us that being healthy is their top priority for the future and one of the building blocks for a healthy city is a green city,” Cr Sharpe said.

“We’ve set a goal to increase our tree canopy from 11 per cent to 30 per cent by 2040.”

Planning and environment spokeswoman Cr Nicole Marshall said the council was chosen from more than 100 cities from 27 countries.

“This is an incredible initiative that will provide much-needed shade and cooling, better air quality and encourage people to walk, cycle and visit their local parks, shops and surrounds,” Cr Marshall said.

“Moonee Valley is one of the most heat vulnerable areas in Melbourne. Through this project, we’re using innovative techniques to track tree canopy targets, including remote sensing and spatial analysis to enhance our urban forest.”

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