Tree planting begins in Kensington

The City of Melbourne began tree planting works in four streets in Kensington in August, as part of the Kensington Urban Forest Precinct Plan 2014-2024. 

Up to 93 trees will be planted, and will include Jacaranda, Liquidambar, Black Tupelo and Sawtooth Oak.

The proposed landscape plans, which were shared as part of the community consultation process in March this year, included Gordon Crescent, and McConnell, Coote, McMeikan, Wight and Hopetoun streets. These streets were listed in the original Precinct Plan as being prioritised for planting in years five to seven of the plan (2018 – 2020).

The plans for Gordon Crescent and Hopetoun St have been put on hold for the 2024 planting season in response to community feedback. 

Community consultation on the proposed plantings ran throughout March this year, with letters sent to residents on the affected streets, and two pop-up sessions were hosted at the nearby Kensington Neighbourhood Centre. An online survey, asking for feedback on the tree planting proposal, received 147 submissions.

The City of Melbourne reported that most respondents showed enthusiasm for the project, acknowledging the benefits that trees bring to the streets, such as shade, cooling, and visual amenity, while some expressed concerns about leaf litter and the reduction in parking spaces in the affected streets. 

Across McConnell, Coote, McMeikan and Wight streets, an estimated 21 parking spaces will be removed. Community responses from this tree planting project that relate to car parking space will be included in the 2024 Kensington Parking and Kerbside Management Review.

The trees planted as part of this project count towards the City of Melbourne’s annual target of planting 3000 trees across the municipality. •