Advocates are pushing for faster action to boost tree cover in canopy-starved parts of Melbourne, with one council planning to ensure nearly half of its footpaths are covered in shade by 2040.
Melbourne's western suburbs have the lowest tree canopy in the city — which experts say is linked to harmful "heat islands" and poorer health outcomes as a result.
While the city's north-east fares better, within the City of Banyule there are still big gaps between suburbs.
Council data shows footpath tree cover is greatest in the affluent suburbs of Eaglemont (51.1 per cent) and Ivanhoe East (41.1 per cent), and lowest in the northern suburb of Bundoora (24.9 per cent).
Banyule Mayor Peter Castaldo said his council was determined to close that gap, aiming to 45 per cent of all footpaths in each suburb covered by canopy by 2040.
The goal, he said, was to get residents walking more in hotter months.
"We want to encourage them out of their homes, enjoy themselves, get some exercise and have a good time while they're doing it, especially in summer when we need a bit of canopy cover," he said.
He said the council would plant 10,000 trees to reach its 2040 goal, focusing on areas around schools, public transport and shopping centres, to encourage people to walk.
'Terrible' walking routes a matter of equity
Ronda Hunter has lived in Bundoora, in Banyule's north, for three years, and said walking in the area was a challenge in the summer.
"I speed up just to get under a tree, and then stop for a bit to get the shade," she said.
She said she liked to walk for exercise, but on a sunny day, it was not really an option.
"I'll jump in the car now, because the walk is just terrible," she said.
Ben Rossiter from Victoria Walks said all levels of government should invest in planting trees around footpaths to encourage walking.
"We need to prioritise tree planting particularly routes to school, routes to public transport and to local shops," he said.
He said canopy cover over footpaths was an issue of equity.
"Older walkers, people with disabilities, families with young children all tend to walk slower, they need shade because they'll be out in the sun longer," he said.
"In disadvantaged areas, people have fewer transport options so walking is really central and if walking is unappealing they lose options for social connections but also they can't get to schools, work and shops."
He said state and federal governments needed to invest in tree planting to meet climate targets.
Schools targeted for trees in the east
In Ringwood, in Melbourne's east, Maroondah City Council is planting trees along school routes.
Mayor Rob Steane said the area was known for being one of Melbourne's leafier councils, a reputation he wanted to see continue.
He said the council had identified 11 schools where trees would be planted over the next two years.
He said as many as possible of the trees would be native, and he trusted his operations teams to make sure they chose the right tree for the right spot.
"We've planted 600 trees for three primary schools in Ringwood, we hope to roll out another 400 trees next year for schools in Croydon," he said.
"We needed to get more kids walking to school, and part of that is to make it more attractive for kids to go to school by walking."
