Current status
Council adopted the Urban Forest Strategy for the Mildura Local Government Area (LGA) as presented, on 24 July 2024.
The adopted strategy sets out a target municipal framework aiming to establish a successful urban forest and healthy canopy cover across the LGA.
The adopted strategy aims to increase the overall tree cover in urban areas of the LGA to 30 per cent by 2040, while developing partnerships with landowners and businesses to:
- green the public realm
- reduce heat bank effect
- increase tree canopy in our local parks, streets and neighbourhoods
- provide increased shade and shelter from heat
- improve air and water quality
- improve health and wellbeing and
- build resilience to climate change.
A compressed copy of the report (17MB) is available to access and download from the document library on this project page. If a higher resolution document (190MB) or more information is sought please contact the strategic planning team to discuss what is required.
Project Background and Purpose
Council engaged Mesh Livable Urban Communities (LUC) to prepare an Urban Forest Strategy for Mildura.
The purpose of this strategy is to increase the net green tree canopy cover across the urban areas of the Mildura Local Government Area (LGA).
The term Urban Forest refers to all the trees and shrubs present in an area, which provide long-term community benefits, such as cooler and more attractive streets.
The aim of the Urban Forest Strategy is to expand tree canopy coverage in public spaces such as streets and parks.
The focus of the Strategy is on improving tree canopy cover in Council owned and managed assets, while demonstrating the important role trees play on private land.
Document library
Project FAQs
Gallery of Images from the Draft Report
A target setting framework has been developed to help us consider where we are, where we want to be and how we will get there.
Targets of the draft Strategy are set the desired outcomes of an Urban Forest for Mildura and provide the basis for the analysis of existing conditions and opportunities. Four targets have been developed:
- Tree distribution: Ensure lots have visibility to at least 3 trees within 20m from their lot frontage.
- Tree canopy coverage: Achieve a 30% net canopy target.
- Useful Life Expectancy (ULE): Ensure no more than 10% of the tree population has a ULE under 10 years.
- Species diversity: Achieve a 10/20/30 mix, a tree population should not be comprised by more than 10% of any one species, 20% of any one genus and 30% of any one family.
Mildura is home to a thriving urban forest that enhances community wellbeing and ensures current and future generations can enjoy the many benefits of trees.
Drawing on the collective effort of Council and the community, Mildura’s urban greening initiatives are underpinned by evidence-based decision-making to respond to the local climate and sustain the ever-expanding tree canopy.
Objective 1: Greening is at the forefront of decision making.
Strategy 1: Utilise planning scheme controls to deliver urban forest targets.
Strategy 2: Embed urban forest aspirations and targets into existing Council strategies.
Strategy 3: Utilise coordinated policy and strategy to deliver sustainable place-based tree planting and watering approaches.
Strategy 4: Optimise collaboration with Council to achieve urban forest outcomes.
Objective 2: Tree planting and maintenance is responsive to context and adopts best practice.
Strategy 5: Adapt planting methods to respond to site conditions.
Strategy 6: Direct new plantings to priority areas.
Strategy 7: Determine areas for new tree planting sites.
Strategy 8: Select tree species in response to site context.
Strategy 9: Implement best practice integrated water manager solutions.
Objective 3: Partnerships contribute to urban greening efforts.
Strategy 10: Promote tree education and awareness with the community.
Strategy 11: Reinforce the character, culture / image and highlight the value places on significant trees.
Strategy 12: Involve the community in urban forest decision making.
Strategy 13: Advocate to key government agencies and authorities to improve the urban forest.
