Cool It Stage 2
The Central Victorian Greenhouse Alliance (CVGA), on behalf of 8 project partners, received funding under the DELWP 3CA grant funding to address heat vulnerability through accelerating investment in new climate resilient tree assets that provide maximum health and wellbeing outcomes in central Victorian towns.
In 2018 partner councils through the CVGA undertook stage 1 of the Cool It project to identify priority public areas that were socially vulnerable to heat impacts (see attachment). The project found that small shires within the region are particularly exposed to increasing daytime heat, due to low levels of existing canopy cover in streets and parks/gardens (as low as 7% in some towns) and high levels of imperviousness. In addition, a street tree audit conducted by the CVGA in 2016 discovered that a number of councils face significant challenges with the ongoing maintenance of their green infrastructure. A significant percentage of street trees are in decline, or are expected to need replacing in the next 5 years. Climate change modelling projects hotter and drier conditions for the region, further exacerbating the challenge. To ensure the region can remain livable, the project will ensure new investment in public tree assets is accelerated and, because of limited water and financial resources, targeted to areas that can maximise co-benefits.
The project will deliver the following outcomes:
The project was completed in March 2021.
In 2018 partner councils through the CVGA undertook stage 1 of the Cool It project to identify priority public areas that were socially vulnerable to heat impacts (see attachment). The project found that small shires within the region are particularly exposed to increasing daytime heat, due to low levels of existing canopy cover in streets and parks/gardens (as low as 7% in some towns) and high levels of imperviousness. In addition, a street tree audit conducted by the CVGA in 2016 discovered that a number of councils face significant challenges with the ongoing maintenance of their green infrastructure. A significant percentage of street trees are in decline, or are expected to need replacing in the next 5 years. Climate change modelling projects hotter and drier conditions for the region, further exacerbating the challenge. To ensure the region can remain livable, the project will ensure new investment in public tree assets is accelerated and, because of limited water and financial resources, targeted to areas that can maximise co-benefits.
The project will deliver the following outcomes:
- Public tree planting focused in areas across the shires of Buloke, Gannawarra, Central Goldfields, Ararat and the Pyrenees, with maximum health and wellbeing outcomes identified in the first stage of the Cool It project undertaken in 2018.
- Development of a climate resilient tree asset planting list for councils to use across the region in streetscapes, parks and gardens.
- Expansion of heat vulnerability mapping to councils in the southern region of the CVGA (Macedon Ranges, Mount Alexander and Hepburn Shires).
The project was completed in March 2021.
Reports
Project Partners
