Perth Expands Urban Canopy with Treebates, Grants
The Cook Labor Government is offering residents cash rebates for planting trees in their backyards, including those who have been impacted by polyphagous shot-hole borer (PSHB), as part of a multimillion-dollar investment to improve Western Australia’s urban canopy.
Two separate urban greening initiatives will kick off this week, offering thousands of Western Australians the opportunity to receive cash rebates for planting a native tree in their garden.
Over the next four years, up to 10,000 residents a year can claim a cash rebate up to $150 on the purchase of a native tree through the Treebate program, a $6.9 million initiative and major election commitment that will be open to all residents across the State aged over 18 years.
For those Western Australians impacted by PSHB, the $7.2 million WA Tree Recovery Program is also offering rebates to replace trees lost to the invasive beetle.
Eligible landowners can claim up to $150 for every tree removed under the authorisation of the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development because of PSHB.
Rebates for both Treebate and the WA Tree Recovery Program can be claimed via the ServiceWA app from Monday, 28 July.
Alternative claim methods are available via the Department of Water and Environmental Regulation website .
Residents are encouraged to plant trees that support WA’s native biodiversity.
For more information or to apply for the rebates, visit WA Tree Recovery | Western Australian Government and Treebate .
DPIRD is leading the nationally funded biosecurity response to manage PSHB. Find advice and information about PSHB in WA.
As stated by the Environment Minister Matthew Swinbourn:
“The planting of thousands of trees under these two programs will build on the State Government’s urban greening initiatives, creating communities that are greener, healthier and more liveable.
“Everything we can do to enhance and plant more trees across Perth, and our entire State, will unlock a range of social, economic and environmental benefits for the entire community.
“Our government is proud to be leading the way in increasing and improving the quantity and quality of green and cooler spaces across our State.”
As stated by Planning and Lands Minister John Carey:
“The launch of Treebates will help us boost urban canopy with native trees and delivers on an election promise.
“Our government has already released urban canopy data on the new and improved dashboard, displaying suburb-by-suburb information, and has committed to a $10 million urban greening grants program.
“We are also developing the first ever Perth and Peel urban greening strategy.
“All these measures will help increase urban canopy, protect biodiversity and cool our suburbs.”
https://www.wa.gov.au/government/media-statements/Cook Labor Government/Perth