Gecko Talks June - Gold Coast Urban Tree Canopy Study & Wildlife Vehicle Collision Mitigation Program

This month Gecko Environment Council welcomes Council of the City of Gold Coast's officers Kate Rogers and Josh Bassett to Gecko’s regular talks on matters of interest to residents

The talk this month will feature Council plans for tree planting throughout the city based on the Urban Tree Canopy Mapping study undertaken by Arup in 2020. The report identified the priority areas and the urgent need for more trees. Studies indicate that 68% of our urban area has no canopy, while private owned land has 21%, road reserves 3%, public owned land (including open space) 8%. The Council endorsed the study and resolved to develop the Urban Greening Action Plan to establish a comprehensive framework to enhance city greening. 

As part of the strategy to cool our increasingly densely populated city as the climate warms, Council will embark on a tree planting and retention strategy. The four areas studied included residential, active transport routes, critical environmental corridors, and streetscape types. Trees are vital not only to provide oxygen to breath while sequestering carbon, they also cool our city and beautify it providing habitat for wildlife, protection against erosion, absorb pollution and reduce runoff. Homeowners will be pleased to know that trees increase the value of their properties. 

In additional, the City of Gold Coast Wildlife Vehicle Collision Mitigation Program will be presented. This program identifies a suite of options to reduce wildlife strikes. This presentation will give focus to hot-spots across the Gold Coast. 

Join us at 7:00pm on June 22nd at Currumbin RSL to learn more about the Urban Tree Canopy Study, and the Council’s plans for tree planting within the Gold Coast’s city areas as well as the City's Wildlife Vehicle Collision Mitigation Program. Tickets are free so make sure you book yours today.

See you there!