Urban forest mapping
Since 2009, the WAPC, through the Department of Planning, Lands and Heritage, has been working with the Commonwealth Scientific Investigation and Research Organisation (CSIRO) to create urban tree canopy mapping data drawn from high resolution aerial imagery of the metropolitan region.
This data can be used with local government planning and environmental data to further benefit local urban forest management strategies.
Urban forest mapping data can be downloaded by local government area from Landgate as detailed GIS shape files, and is available on PlanWA for general viewing.
Urban forest mapping
Urban tree canopy dashboard
The Western Australian Planning Commission’s Urban Tree Canopy Dashboard is an interactive snapshot of the extent of tree canopy coverage across the Perth and Peel regions.
Urban tree canopy mapping data for 2014, 2016 and 2018 has been used to create the dashboard, which offers an accessible and consistent monitoring and reporting function.
The dashboard uses spatial data gathered from high resolution aerial imagery through the CSIRO’s Urban Monitor program and analysed by the Department of Planning, Lands and Heritage, to measure and monitor tree canopy trends across Perth and Peel. Local governments can use the data to track their tree canopies over time.
The dashboard shows the growth, loss or change of urban canopy, in any given area, over time. It provides key statistics and trends for all suburbs within Perth and Peel. Information is available on either a suburb or local government area level, and is categorised into Street blocks (combined lots), Roads, and Parks.
Canopy data is presented at three height levels and by total canopy coverage above three metres. Further data is shown by land ownership and local planning scheme zones, and can indicate changes and trends across suburbs.
To ensure consistent annual data comparisons, the same lot boundaries are used each year, regardless of any boundary changes.
The dashboard is not intended as a comparison tool between suburbs or local governments as each area is subject to different conditions and land use purposes.
Urban Tree Canopy Dashboard
Using the urban tree canopy dashboard
Guidance notes for using the urban tree canopy dashboard.