Green Industries - Tree Planting

Tree guards in garden bed

The Green Industries program aims to support private landowners in industrial areas to plant trees on their land to create a more livable city and a better urban environment that supports the health and wellbeing of our community.

Hobsons Bay City Council recently developed and adopted their first Urban Forest Strategy (2020), which outlines an ambitious target to achieve 30 per cent tree canopy cover by 2040, focusing on three different land use types: parks, streets and roads and industrial areas.

Many industrial areas have extremely low amounts of vegetation and tree cover. In Hobsons Bay, trees in industrial areas amount to only 0.45 per cent of Hobsons Bay’s overall canopy cover of 7.5 per cent. Targets set out in the Urban Forest Strategy aim to increase canopy cover to 20 per cent in industrial areas by planting trees in nature strips and on private land. 

Urban Forest strategy current canopy cover

We have implemented several programs to plant as many trees as possible in publicly owned land such as parks, reserves and nature strips. However, given that 54 per cent of land in Hobsons Bay is privately owned, tree planting in public space alone will not be enough to achieve the overall target of 30 per cent canopy cover. More trees are needed in private land.

Urban strategy targets 2

Though the primary focus for the program is to increase canopy cover by planting medium to large trees, there is potential to include some under-story plantings to compliment large plantings.

We intend to work with each successful applicant to design a plan for your individual site which may include advice around suitable locations, ground preparation and supply of mulch and plants (trees and shrubs).  

About the program

The Green Industries program can support Hobsons Bay’s businesses in industrial areas to increase canopy cover where there is capacity to plant trees on their land. Though the primary focus for the program is to increase canopy cover by planting medium to large trees, there is potential to include some under-story plantings to compliment large plantings.

We will work with each successful applicant to design a plan for your individual site which may include;

  • Advice on suitable locations for incorporating new trees and shrubs
  • Tips and recommendations to prepare the site for successful tree establishment  
  • Supply of tube stock plants
  • Supply of mulch

It is the expectation that successful applicants can contribute to the overall delivery and cost of approved projects on their land. Ground preparation, planting works and ongoing maintenance will be the responsibility of the applicant. 

Benefits of participating

Increasing canopy cover in our industrial areas offers many benefits including reducing the Urban Heart Island Effect which benefits the entire Hobsons Bay municipality. Some additional benefits are listed below:

  • Provision of shade and cooling effects during warm weather
  • Wind protection
  • Storm water uptake and filtration
  • Connectivity and habitat for wildlife
  • Improved look and feel of industrial areas, providing an attractive appearance to visitors and employees alike, softening the landscape from built structures.
  • Carbon absorption and pollution filtering

Criteria

To be considered for participating in the program, you must meet the below criteria:

  • Subject land must be within Hobsons Bay
  • Your grounds must have enough space to support a minimum of 10 medium to large canopy trees. Or approximately 380m² of space to plant trees (based on an average of 6-8m wide tree (7 m) = 38 m² x 10 = 380 m²)
  • Provision to provide either irrigation or adequate supplementary watering.
  • No outstanding planning permit conditions relating to landscaping works. 

Ongoing maintenance

Once planted, the trees and plants will require ongoing care to help them establish during the first 1-2 years. This requires regular watering and occasional weeding. Once established, tree guards can be removed and watering can be reduced, however, like with any garden, providing water during dry weather is essential for the plants to thrive and remain healthy.

How to apply

Please complete the below expression of interest form if you would like your business to be considered for Green Industries in 2024. 

 

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