More trees: urban cooling and greening programs

Protecting and expanding Melbourne’s urban tree canopy

Melbourne’s urban areas are experiencing higher temperatures, increased heat risk and ongoing pressure on tree canopy through increased urban development. Trees and green infrastructure play a vital role in cooling neighbourhoods, improving liveability and supporting healthier communities.

Under a Plan for Victoria, the Victorian Government is committed to protecting and enhancing canopy trees through Action 12, helping cities adapt to climate change, reduce urban heat and create more connected, resilient and liveable places. This commitment is reflected in targeted investment, long term planning and evidence based action across metropolitan Melbourne and Victoria.

Why tree canopy and urban green spaces matter

Urban trees provide more than just greenery. Increasing canopy cover helps reduce the urban heat island effect, lowers surface and air temperatures, improves air quality and creates more comfortable streets and public spaces. Trees also support biodiversity, enhance neighbourhood character and encourage walking, cycling and community connection.

Protecting and growing Melbourne’s urban canopy is a key part of building a city that can better withstand extreme heat and support the wellbeing of residents, workers and visitors.

Wadawurrung Traditional Owner Tree Planting, Lollipop Creek, Wyndham Vale.

Credit: Marcia Riederer

Delivering cooler, greener neighbourhoods

The Victorian Government is delivering on Action 12: Protect and enhance canopy trees through initiatives that support tree planting and urban greening across metropolitan Melbourne. These initiatives focus on areas with lower canopy cover and higher heat vulnerability, ensuring investment is directed to locations where it can deliver the greatest benefit.

More trees for a cooler greener west

Launched in 2021, More Trees for a Cooler Greener West program is on track to meet its target of 500,000 trees in 2026. This initiative supports large scale tree planting on public land in communities experiencing higher growth, lower canopy cover and increased heat exposure, helping to improve shade, amenity and local resilience. Find out more:

More trees for a cooler greener west

More trees for Melbourne

Building on this work, the More Trees for Melbourne initiative announced in September 2025 expands this investment across metropolitan Melbourne. This new initiative supports tree planting and innovative urban greening projects that cool streets and public spaces, improve comfort and amenity, and strengthen connections between people and nature in heat vulnerable areas. Find out more:

More trees for Melbourne

Horscroft Place Pocket Park, Moorabbin, Funded through the Local Parks Program with the City of Kingston.

Credit Marcia Riederer

Updating Melbourne’s canopy mapping, vegetation and heat data

To support informed decision making and future investment, DEECA is updating Melbourne’s canopy mapping, vegetation and heat data.

The updated mapping will provide a clearer and more current picture of tree canopy distribution, vegetation cover and heat risk across metropolitan Melbourne. This work will help guide future programs, identify priority locations and ensure investment continues to target areas where increased canopy and greening can deliver the greatest cooling, environmental and community benefits.