Greener, cooler High Street supports local living

Large trees might not be the first thing that come to mind when you think about suburban shopping strips, with many of Melbourne’s busiest thoroughfares largely devoid of tree canopy.

But a project in Melbourne’s inner north is aiming to turn this trend on its head.

Since March 2023 Darebin City Council has planted 122 new trees along a 4km stretch of High Street, mostly on footpaths between Separation Street in Northcote and Wood Street in Preston.

A small number were planted on the median strip in the middle of High Street, and in adjacent streets.

The new trees have received enthusiastic support from Miro Pritisanac, who has owned and run the Zagreb Croation Bookshop on High Street Preston for 30 years.

“The trees create a nice green effect, which is calming,” said Miro. “It makes it less like a concrete jungle along here [and] it feels like they are helping you to breathe better,” he said.

The High Street project is helping Darebin realise a priority action in its 2021—2025 Council Plan, which is to ‘increase tree canopy coverage in retail precincts’.

According to the Plan, trees help foster local urban streetscapes ‘that connect our community, support economic recovery, and encourage people to live, work and play locally.’

Investing in street trees

Many governments are looking to street trees to help meet liveability objectives in urban areas, where roads and streets can occupy up to 25% of land area.[i]

Brisbane City Council for example is aiming to increase tree canopy cover along footpaths from an average of 35% to 50% by 2031 to help protect people from the warming climate.

Darebin Mayor Susanne Newton said getting the mix of trees right was paramount, with urban characteristics such as asphalt footpaths, drainage systems and heavy foot and vehicle traffic working against trees.

“It was important that we plant a real variety of trees that not only look appealing and fit with the surrounds, but also have the resilience to survive this busy urban environment,” she said.

“After considering all aspects … and then assessing available growing space, capacity to tolerate drought and pollution, as well as past and anticipated performance, we landed on a brilliant mix of both native and exotic species including the Dwarf Yellow Bloodwood, Chinese Pistachio, Bella Donna Brachychiton and Wilga, which we hope our community will appreciate and enjoy for many years to come.”  

Joint funding (council and state)

The project received partial funding ($200,000) from the Victorian Government’s ‘Living Local’ suburban grants program.  

Victorian State MP for Northcote Kat Theophanous, whose electorate office is on High Street, said planting and preserving tree canopy in urbanised areas had multiple benefits, especially on busy high streets.

“As they mature, these trees will provide streetscape amenity, improve air quality, create much needed shade and mitigate the heat island effect,” she said.

“All of this contributes to the accessibility of the street – encouraging residents and visitors to peruse and enjoy the avenue at street level, taking in its sights, smells and sounds.”