A much anticipated urban forest project will finally kick off in Hamilton Hill this September after delays caused by COVID-19.
The Greening Greenslade project will turn a hot expanse of asphalt carpark into a leafy, unique space for the community to enjoy.
A partnership between the City, The Forever Project and Urban Impact Project, the project will begin on the corner of Winterfold Road and Greenslade Street on September 10 culminating in a public Demonstration Day on site on 12 September.
The demonstration event will be led by Chris Ferreira from The Forever Project from 10-11.30am as he completes the final section of work at the pop up forest.
“As I finish the installation, people will be able to see how to adapt these principles to their own little patch of earth, turning it into an inviting, resilient and sustainable place for their own family, friends and neighbours,” Chris said.
The $30,000 project will transform a city-owned 880sqm carpark into a shady community space, replacing what has been a large heat sink raising local temperatures and escalating the urban heat island effect.
“If we increase the urban tree canopy cover, through urban forests, this will help cool temperatures in surrounding areas, combating the urban heat island affect,” City of Cockburn Environmental Projects Officer Lisa Brideson said.
“The City’s Urban Forest Plan objectives are to increase the number of street trees, and projects like this support implementation of that plan.
“We are lucky in Cockburn, as there is strong support from the community for more trees. This project came about after residents wanted to support the City’s Urban Forest Plan and increase the local tree canopy cover.
“It’s a great opportunity to use Water Sensitive Urban Design features, which can be achieved with a small budget.”
Brendan Morrow from nearby business The Organic Collective, which will provide a morning tea of fresh organic fruit on the Demonstration Day, said it was wonderful that the City supported and encouraged urban greening.
“More trees, biodiversity and greenery are needed everywhere for cooling our living spaces and the planet,” Mr Morrow said.
Neighbouring café Cuckoo Coffee is also supporting the street corner upgrade and will provide Demonstration Day participants with a free cupcake with every coffee sold during the session.
“This project aims to demonstrate how clever design and eco-retrofit can transform an underused, hot, barren, hard space into a green community asset that will encourage nature, and cool and enhance the local shopping area,” Ms Brideson said.
A recent UWA study showed Street trees increases property values in Perth by up to $17,000.