$1 Billion in tree canopy hangs in balance - Victorian Government says No

Make Victoria Greener: Prominent botanist and academic, Dr Greg Moore OAM has called for the Minister for Energy and Resources, Lily D’Ambrosio, to vote for common sense and ensure Victoria’s environment is secured for the future by adding $1 billion in tree canopy. The Victorian Government is seeking to overturn the overwhelming recommendation of a highly credentialled expert committee which wants to reduce unnecessary tree pruning around power lines in Victoria.

Dr Greg Moore said:

“This is bureaucracy gone mad with a legitimate, sensible and safe proposal being overturned despite the overwhelming recommendation of the committee established to provide expert advice on this matter.

“My concern is that between 500 and 1,000 Victorian lives could be lost in a single heatwave event due to reduced tree canopy.  In addition there are enormous environmental benefits that will be lost for future generations of Victorians due to one poor decision.

“The Government is seeking not only to ignore the umpires’ decision but is seeking to ban the umpire from all future games by trying to shut down the committee completely and entrench existing policy for the next 10 years.

“The facts are in complete contrast with the Government’s spin. What the Government proposes is not safer. It actually increases safety risks and its line about preferring gradual change does not square up with the facts.

“We call on the Victorian Government to show the evidence in support of its position.

“As a community we cannot afford to trash Victoria’s urban environmental future and lose the health and economic benefits that increased tree canopy brings to us all,” he said.

A website has been set up for further information:

www.makevictoriagreener.org.au

Background to the decision

A proposal being considered by a Victorian Government committee will bring significant environmental benefits to Victorians estimated to exceed $1 billion by increasing and preserving  the tree canopy in urban areas.

The proposal, at zero cost to Victorian taxpayers, comes at a time when cities regional centres and many country towns are losing 1 per cent of its tree canopy annually to development.

The proposal brings Victoria into line with other States by changing the regulations governing the pruning of foliage around urban power lines.

Environmental Benefits

The proposal aims to reduce the amount of tree trimming around power lines in urban areas, which are classified as low bushfire risk areas. This reduction in trimming is estimated to increase the value of the urban forest by about a billion dollars.

Trees provide substantial environmental benefits, including carbon sequestration, improved air quality, and enhanced biodiversity.

Preserving the tree canopy cover will also mitigate the urban heat island effect and reduce heatwave-related illnesses and deaths.

It will also contribute substantially to increased local biodiversity

Cost of living benefits

The increased shade provided by trees in urban environments has a direct, measurable impact on household energy costs which have increased dramatically in recent years.

We estimate implementing this proposal will save $3 million in household energy costs in the next five years.

Economic Advantages

Trees contribute to property value uplift, lower energy bills, and provide human health cost savings. The proposal highlights the economic benefits of maintaining healthy trees, which can lead to increased property values and reduced energy consumption.

Research demonstrates greening of the urban environment can add as much as 7% to a property’s value.

Safety Considerations

The proposed amendment will improve overall safety conditions for workers pruning trees around power lines.

The proposal has the unanimous backing of experts in tree valuation and urban forestry, such as Dr Greg Moore, and is fully endorsed by industry stakeholders.