FAQ
Why is Samson a priority area?
Extensive research was undertaken across the City of Fremantle to develop the Urban Forest Plan. As part of this, thermal mapping was undertaken as well as canopy height, tree health, tree to person ratio and amount of remnant bushland.
This identified several priority areas where there is currently low canopy cover and above average 'urban heat island effect' (UHIE). On a suburb scale Samson was identified as a priority.
UHIE is usually noticeable in areas with a lot of unshaded concrete, dark roofs and other non-porous materials. Surfaces with high thermal mass can convert up to 80 percent of sunlight into heat that is stored and then released, raising local temperatures. Some areas of Samson were measured at six degrees hotter than the natural vegetation.
My verge has been chosen for a street tree, what do I need to do?
The verge outside your property is City-owned land so the City will purchase the tree, plant it and water it in at no cost to you. The City will also prune and maintain the tree. Of course, we would love you to keep an extra eye on the tree, other than that once it's grown just enjoy the shade!
Opt-out or second tree options were provided, with contact by phone, email or online form. Please note these closed on 21 February 2018 and we are now finalising our tree orders. Planting will commence in winter 2018.
How did you choose the species to be planted?
A street by street audit was undertaken in Samson. The species were selected based on a combination of location, existing street tree planting, power lines, footpaths and ordering availability.
Where possible we have offered a second choice, please refer to the letter you received or contact us for more information.
The option to swap or discuss the planting further was provided. Please note this closed on 21 February 2018 for ordering purposes.
I would like to help green Samson in my own backyard
Great! With an important biodiversity corridor running through Samson, everyone needs to play their part in greening Samson. Biodiversity corridors provide important linkages between remnant natural vegetation for flora and fauna.
We're hosting a community day on Saturday 12 May 9am to 12:30pm at Samson Park. As well as revegetation planting and fun activities, you can ask for advice from our landscape architects and take a couple of native plants home to get started. Download the poster here.
If you would like more plants, City of Fremantle residents can use our native subsidy scheme. Download a voucher for up to 40 low cost native plants from local nursery, APACE. Plants available for pickup from APACE May 1-30. Download the voucher and find further information here.
Some resources available to guide your planting include:
Plants for Carnaby's List (endangered Black-cockatoos)
City of Fremantle Verge Beautification Guidelines
The bushland areas of Samson can also give ideas about species which are native to the local area and would thrive with little maintenance requirements.
I don't live in Samson but I would like a street tree, what do I do?
The City of Fremantle offer free street trees to landowners and you can lodge your request online any time. Planting only takes place in the cooler months, so if you would like to make the cut off for planting in winter 2018 we encourage you to lodge your request by 21 February 2018.
Why is there little canopy cover in Samson?
As the slideshow on the project page shows, the area was progressively cleared to create the suburb known as Samson. While neighbouring suburbs such as Hilton have re-established trees this hasn't happened to the same extent in Samson.
Every year the City of Fremantle offers free street trees to local landowners. However, this year a new approach will be trialled in Samson in an effort to boost the take up of street trees as well as encourage people to green their property.
What was the area like in the past?
The Melville Army Camp operated from 1939 in the area now known as Sir Frederick Samson Reserve. Initially there were tents and some buildings, with barrack huts
later erected amongst the cover of the trees. During WWII the Camp became a major training and administrative base with the bush surrounding the camp used for training. After the War movies were shown in the Camp Hall until development of the new suburb began. The suburb of Samson wasn't established until 1971 and was named after a prominent local family. The slideshow gives an idea of the vegetation cover in the area prior to this.