City of Melbourne fails to deliver on its own tree planting target

Despite spruiking its climate credentials at a Dubai climate conference, the City of Melbourne fell short of its tree planting target by nearly a third last year — and it’s blaming suburban streets.

Newly planted trees along Southbank, Melbourne. But there’s not enough of them. Picture: Mark Stewart

The City of Melbourne failed to meet its target of planting 3000 trees in 2023, the same year Lord Mayor Sally Capp flew to Dubai to attend a global climate conference to “showcase” the city’s climate change credentials.

The council has long set itself an annual target to plant 3000 trees, but last year planted 2100, a shortfall of almost a third.

A spokesman said the shortfall was due to planting trees in suburban streets.

“Last year, we planted more than 2000 trees in the areas needing them most,” he said.

“This planting took place at more difficult sites in residential streets and closer to the city centre, which is slower than mass planting on large vacant sites – but essential in delivering our target.”

The spokesman did not respond to questions about whether the council would plant an extra 900 trees this year to catch up on the shortfall, but said the organisation was on track to meet its long-term target of doubling the number of trees by 2040.

The City of Melbourne fell 900 trees short of its 2023 target. Picture: Mark Stewart

Southbank Residents Association president Tony Penna said his suburb was in desperate need of more trees and questioned why the council had not done more to reach its planting target.

“Southbank is one of the areas of greatest need for more trees and green space and it is very disappointing the council failed to hit its own target,” he said.

“A few extra trees would have gone into (the) Southbank Boulevard (upgrade) but there are lots of areas in Southbank desperately crying out for more trees.”

Mr Penna said the council needed to focus on delivering tangible outcomes for the local community.

“More needs to be done to increase the green space available to residents of Southbank and I’d call on the council to prioritise tree planting right across the municipality but particularly here,” he said.

The council’s failure to meet the tree planting target comes just months after the Ms Capp and two staff members flew to Dubai to attend the COP28 global climate conference.

Ms Capp at the time said the conference was an “unrivalled opportunity” to learn about “green tech”.

Southbank residents are calling for more trees. Picture: Mark Stewart

She said local councils needed to “prepare for and act on climate change in their communities”.

“This is an opportunity to showcase our innovations, learn from others ...,” she wrote on LinkedIn.

The return flights from Melbourne to Dubai for three people emitted approximately 15 tonnes of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere, according to the My Climate organisation.

On average, a young tree will absorb about 10kg of carbon per year for the first 20 years.

The council’s failure to plant the 900 trees equates to around 9 tonnes of carbon emissions that could have been prevented within the City of Melbourne last year.

The council’s own Urban Forest Strategy details how important tree planting is to improve environmental, social and economic benefits for residents.

“Urban forests provide critical ecosystem services such as air and water filtration, shade, habitat, oxygen, carbon sequestration and nutrient cycling,” the strategy states.

Town Hall’s climate credentials

Carbon emissions per person to fly economy return to Dubai – 5.1 tonnes

Carbon emissions per person to fly economy return to Singapore – 2.2 tonnes

Carbon emissions per person to fly economy return to Sydney – 0.44 tonnes

Carbon emissions per person to fly economy return to Canberra – 0.36 tonnes

On average, a young tree will absorb about 10kg of carbon per year for the first 20 years after planting

A typical mature tree can store as much as 10 tonnes of carbon