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The Guardian - AU
The Guardian - AU
National
Aston Brown

‘It’s slipped off the radar’: why are there fewer street trees in regional towns across Australia?

Overhead view of a housing development outside Warwick
A new housing development outside Warwick in Queensland. Many regional councils have no active plans to increase their urban canopy. Photograph: Aston Brown/The Guardian

Regional Australia’s back yards and nature strips need more trees to combat extreme heat and make rural towns more livable, experts say.

Increasing shade cover in cities and towns can dramatically reduce surface temperatures and encourage walking and cycling. But as many metropolitan councils set ambitious tree canopy targets, budget constraints, fewer incentives and social attitudes mean some regional areas are lagging behind.

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