Recent data published by Nearmap (an aerial imagery and data collection company) has analysed Australian cities and regions to quantify and compare their extent of tree canopy coverage.

The collected data indicates that while some areas of Melbourne, particularly the Outer and North-East, are substantially treed (with tree cover percentages of up to 70 percent), areas such as the West and Inner South have significantly lower tree covers - barely reaching 20 percent.

The presence of canopy trees and areas of vegetation in urban environments is well researched to have a positive impact on a number of environmental, social and health factors, including reducing the temperature of such areas by between 4 and 10 degrees Celsius.

It’s important that both future planning policy and new developments consider these beneficial impacts and seek a balance between built form and the maintenance/provision of canopy vegetation.