The City of Gosnells will soon plant over 1,000 trees and 3,000 plants along reserves and verges in Canning Vale as part of the Urban Greening Grant program, with the support of WALGA and with funding from the Government of Western Australia.

This area has been chosen due to the high urban heat risk and the low existing tree canopy levels. Canning Vale has the smallest ratio of canopy to land (at only 8%) across City suburbs. This program will improve amenity and wellbeing for the local community.

The public open space corridor that has been chosen from Bracadale Park to Auckland Park is made up of parkland and drainage assets. The space is well suited for this project as much of the land backs on to private property, there is access to water and the footpath through the space provides a key walking link.

The planting of both trees and understorey plants will create an important biodiversity corridor and ecological linkage, including habitat for local wildlife, particularly endangered black cockatoos.

Wetland species trees will assist in filtering the stormwater and therefore improving water quality of the lower catchments.

Verge trees

To ensure the benefits of the urban greening program are felt outside of the public open space corridor, the City will also plant up to 200 trees in the verges of surrounding streets. Verge trees are estimated to enhance the value of properties by up to $17,000 and contribute to the cooling of urban heat.

Residents can apply for a verge tree as part of this program.

An assessment will then be completed by our Tree Services team to ensure your verge is appropriate for the species we have available. Alternatives will be discussed if required.

Similar to our normal street tree program, the City will water and maintain the tree during its establishment period.

This project is funded in part by the Department of Water and Environmental Regulation, via the Western Australian Local Government Association (WALGA) Urban Greening Grant.