The Urban Forest Strategy, which aims to make Ballarat “cleaner and greener”, was endorsed unanimously by Ballarat councillors at the council meeting on Wednesday night.

The strategy outlined plans to increase tree canopy coverage from an estimated 17 per cent to 40 per cent by 2040. 

There are already more than 80,000 trees in Ballarat.

The move follows similar init-

iatives rolled out in Melbourne and Geelong.

In Geelong, a strategy is in place to increase tree canopy in urban areas from an estimated 14 per cent to 25 per cent. 

A plan in Melbourne aimed to increase tree coverage from 22 per cent to 40 per cent.

City of Ballarat general manager of city infrastructure Eric Braslis said the plan was about catering for the future in Ballarat and ensuring the council was “collecting more trees than losing them”.

Councillor Belinda Coates dubbed it an “innovative and progressive” approach to health, wellbeing and environmental sustainability.

“This plan has immense health, social and environmental benefits,” Cr Coates said.

“It is important for us to remember we need nature – it doesn’t need us – so we need do all we can to preserve and protect it.”

Cr Coates said while the City of Melbourne was ahead of the council with its tree canopy campaign, the City of Ballarat was far ahead of other councils in its stormwater recycling.

“This water will assist us in maintaining the trees,” she said. 

Councillor Vicki Coltman also supported the initiative.

She said it went beyond simply planting more trees because it ensured those that existed continued to thrive.

Development of the plan was sparked by the council’s Preliminary Ballarat Strategy, which canvassed the direction of future development in the city.

Mr Braslis said the council would review the strategy in a year to gauge its progress.

melissa.cunningham@fairfaxmedia.com.au