Perth homeowners offered payments for retaining significant trees

Homeowners in the City of Canning, Perth, could receive an annual payment for keeping large trees on their property. The council recently approved a plan to pay residents $200 each year for every significant tree they register. This initiative aims to protect Perth's declining tree canopy. City of Canning Mayor Patrick Hall explained that once a tree is registered, it cannot be removed without permission from the council. The mayor believes this will encourage homeowners to preserve trees. However, he was the only council member to oppose the policy, citing legal uncertainties. He raised concerns about how the register would apply if a property changes owners or is developed. A report indicated that many homeowners are hesitant to register their trees, fearing it could lower their property values. Currently, the city has registered 165 significant trees, all located in public areas. In 2020, the tree canopy coverage in the council was 9.9%, which is a significant loss. The city aims to increase this coverage by 22.3% by 2039, although forecasts suggest a decline of 24.3%. Other Perth councils have also implemented financial incentives for tree preservation. The City of Bayswater, for example, offers up to $2,000 every five years, but no homeowners have participated. The City of Vincent has seen nine trees added to its register since 2021. In Western Australia, local councils cannot prevent private landowners from removing trees. The state government has promised to plant one million trees by 2035 to increase the metropolitan tree canopy to 30% by 2040.