The City of Perth is taking the lead in countering the effects of carbon emissions through a major tree planting program. Council has agreed to plant 85,000 trees in rural Western Australia to help offset carbon emissions generated by vehicles using City owned, offstreet car parks.
A contract agreement was signed recently with a Kojonup farming family, the McFalls, for planting and maintaining the trees for the next 40 years.
The scheme will be funded from City of Perth Parking (CPP) revenue.
Of the trees to be planted on 40 hectares at Kojonup, 50 per cent will be harvestable mallee species with the potential to produce biofuels.
Lord Mayor Lisa Scaffidi said the City of Perth is the first Local Government in Australia to initiate a carbon offset program for parking activities.
This initiative was recognised with an Award for Excellence in the Planning Category at the recent Parking Association of Australia’s International Conference.
“It is estimated that this tree planting program will offset approximately 15,600 tonnes of carbon emission a year when the trees mature,” the Lord Mayor said. “Some 5.2 million customers use the City’s car parks each year and it is estimated that an average family car
emits 0.2 kilograms of carbon dioxide per kilometre travelled. Assuming each customer travels an average 15 kilometres into the city then an amount of 15,600 tonnes of carbon dioxide would be emitted each year.
“The McFall family has a strong track record in sustainable land management and biodiversity and is very enthusiastic about being a part of this long term project.
“The plantings will be owned by the City and may be in the form of plantations or bush belts. Bush belts have the advantage of providing windbreaks for stock and pasture, native animal habitats and soil conservation benefits as well as carbon emission storage.
“Council takes the issue of climate change very seriously and has a record of action rather than words. Across our parking operations we have already implemented energy reduction strategies such as low energy lighting, natural ventilation and solar powered equipment.
“Funds raised from parking activities also contribute to free public transport in the city.”
For further information please contact the Director Business Units, Doug Forster, at the City of Perth, on (08) 9461 3109.
