How was the Greening Fremantle Strategy developed?
2001 Green Plan.
Adopted in April 2001, the City of Fremantle’s first Green Plan was initiated as a result of community feedback on the need to improve and increase public open space and develop ecological and recreational links across the City. The Green Plan Working Group, the City of Fremantle and the community were all involved in the Plan's development, which also involved extensive research and mapping. In June 2014 the Council initiated a review of the 2001 Green Plan.
Green Plan 2020.
Throughout 2015 the community were involved in the review and redevelopment of the Green Plan through a workshop, survey and open air forum. The review was also informed by the Fremantle 2029 Community Visioning Project, where protection and enhancement of the natural environment and green spaces was a key theme. In December 2015 this was adopted as a formal Corporate Strategy to support delivery of the Council's Strategic Plan.
Greening Fremantle Strategy.
In 2016 the document was renamed the Greening Fremantle Strategy. This strategy sets out the initiatives and targets to inform, guide and implement a greener city to the 2019/2020 year.
Trees and green spaces are particularly important in city urban
environments, where people live, work and recreate. Some of the social,
economic and environmental values include:
Social – improve community sociability, reduce heat-related illness, reduce
air pollution, encourage more outdoor activity, improve mental wellbeing,
provide sense of place and heritage.
Economic – reduce health-related costs, reduce energy costs through
reduced heat, increase property value, filter extreme
weather, protect groundwater, extend hard infrastructure life through reduced sun exposure.
Environmental – provide habitat, take up carbon, support ecosystems (south-west
WA is an international biodiversity
hotspot).
There are plenty of opportunities to get involved in greening Fremantle:
Green your verge. Fremantle residents can apply to have a street tree planted on their verge at no cost to the property owner. The City handles installation of street trees as they have access to underground service locations and are aware of verge tree regulations. You can find out more and request a tree online. Once an application for street tree has been received by our parks and landscape team, they will undertake inspections during the following April and May and talk to you about what is most suitable for your verge. Planting will only occur between April and July each year to ensure your tree will survive.
The City of Fremantle also encourages its residents to take part in the verge beautification program, replacing unused lawn with water wise shrubs and groundcovers. By doing this you can help reduce ‘heat island effect’ in summer, reduce water use,
improve the streetscape and provide habitat and food for local wildlife.
A support booklet is available online or in the document library.
Help plant trees. You can take part in community planting days in various locations, look out for advertised events from May to August. In 2016 a range of organisations were involved in planting days in Samson, Fremantle, South Beach, Leighton Beach, Bathers Beach, Port Beach and Booyeembarra Park.
Get
growing. Fremantle residents can purchase up to 20 plants per year from Apace Nursery at a discounted price. You will need to collect coupons from the City administration, please bring a copy of your council rates or other proof you are a City of Fremantle resident.
Recommended nurseries:
Apace Community Revegetation Nursery - 1 Johannah Street North Fremantle - Phone (08) 9336 1262