Tree protection is one of WEPA’s central concerns. Over recent months we’ve been busy advocating for better protections for trees and encouraging Willoughby residents to appreciate the social, ecological, physical wellbeing and mental health benefits that trees provide.
Objections to two Development Applications
Further to our submission regarding changes to deter illegal clearing in NSW, we have also lodged objections to two Development Applications that are threatening local ecosystems. A concerned Castlecrag resident alerted us to habitat destruction occurring though building works on the Northern Escarpment, which we have objected to through Council channels. As a member of the Northern Landcare Network we were also made aware of an application to build a 6-story data centre in a bushland corridor adjacent to Lane Cove National Park. Construction would involve the removal of 509 trees, destruction of threatened microbat habitat and significantly diminish a vital foreshore wildlife corridor. With all the science around the benefits of trees, risks of urban heat and the biodiversity crisis, it is bewildering that a 24/7 facility bringing noise, heat, traffic, and artificial light into sensitive bushland could be considered a ‘State Significant Development’. You can read our submission here or see footage of the bushland site on this reel from The North Shore Lorikeet.
Challenges facing our urban canopy – community event
WEPA hosted an informative and lively community event, exploring the challenges facing our urban canopy, with insights from Willoughby Council Urban Forest experts, Nick Chapman (Resilience Specialist) and Alistair Quek (Tree Compliance Officer).
Nick explained that our urban canopy is under threat with private land accounting for the greatest loss – the equivalent of 438 tennis courts over the 10 years from 2011-2021. The expanding footprint of homes, and CDC (Complying Development Certificate) approvals that fall outside Council governance were identified as primary drivers of loss. Increasing density is also playing a growing role, propelled by the State Government focus on ramping up housing supply.
Despite these challenges, Council’s Urban Forest plan still aims to meet or exceed the NSW Government target of 40% canopy by 2036. 2022 data measured a 34% cover for our LGA. Council has employed AI to identify over 600 viable sites and 50 roads where new tree cover can help cool our city, while also improving the pedestrian experience and overall wellbeing of the community.
Alistair has been focused on issues surrounding tree compliance, lifting the number of penalties issued 8-fold since his appointment. He provided a fascinating, if somewhat frustrating, overview of regulatory challenges, explaining that CDC development landscaping and replanting conditions are inadequate and that courts aren’t particularly strong on tree protection, often downgrading fines. On a positive note, there are indications that Ausgrid is becoming more amenable to underground wires, which can facilitate a denser, healthier canopy.
Canopy of Life tree festival event
We supported Willoughby Council’s Canopy of Life tree festival event – Keeping Willoughby Green & Cool, which included a talk by two esteemed urban management experts that highlighted the important cooling role of a dense, healthy canopy.
Urban heat expert, UWS Professor Sebastian Pfautsch presented an overview of a heat research study commissioned by Council to better understand the thermal benefits of trees. Over the summer of 2023/24, a network of heat monitors measured the impact of tall trees and dense canopy across the entirety of Willoughby. The findings included an overall 9°C cooling effect for higher cover residential streets and up to 17°C differential on extreme heat days, as well as identifying the role that a healthy foreshore canopy plays in contributing to the cooling of hotter western areas of the LGA.
Beyond a strong tree planting and management plan, the report highlights the importance of cooling strategies such as:
- Minimising impervious surfaces and de-paving ‘hard edged’ surfaces
- Green infrastructure like misting and shade structures
- Enforcement of landscaping specific planning controls
- Requiring built structures to have light roofing or green roofs
- ‘Pocket parks’ that cool and also support biodiversity
- Lower traffic speed, which reduces the warming impact of car movement
The Benchmarking Urban Heat in the City of Willoughby report can be found on Council’s ‘Extreme Heat’ webpage under Willoughby urban heat study in the drop down menu.
Professor Peter Davies discussed findings from a recent Macquarie University study into the expanding footprint of new builds in residential areas of Willoughby. The study found that the average footprint of 61 low density CDCs in Willoughby grew by a staggering 45%, resulting in a 58% reduction in tree canopy. Driveways grew by 109%, highlighting a valuable greenspace opportunity if Council can enforce street access limits and reclaim the street verge to better contribute to canopy.
Mandatory planning controls could be a relatively simple solution to save our neighbourhoods turning from green to grey. State guidelines could be codified to specify minimum canopy and deep soil area; set limits for the footprint of buildings and driveways (including driveway crossing widths); and give legitimacy to local Development Control Plans for effective enforcement. Planning controls that safeguard our vital green space for the benefit of the broader community and nature should be more than discretionary guidelines. They are currently serving to deliver bigger houses, rather than more housing stock.
Both studies provided evidence that changes need to be made if we hope to create a resilient, healthful city.
As an example, the important role of cooling materials to reduce thermal load is a reminder that the use of synthetic turf in public space and residential homes is exacerbating, rather than alleviating, the problem. The number of extreme heat days in Sydney is growing, and studies show that high heat directly impacts mortality and morbidity rates, and levels of air pollution. The end goal is not just to achieve thermal comfort; it’s about protecting human and environmental health.
Willoughby’s National Tree Day
And of course, we showed up to do our bit for Willoughby’s National Tree Day event, getting on the tools to help with planting and landscaping efforts at Warners Park.
