Melbourne's tree canopy goal deemed unachievable without major changes

Melbourne's goal of achieving a 30% tree canopy cover is now seen as unfeasible due to new planning rules for apartment developments. These rules allow for increased building coverage and reduced setbacks, which may hinder tree growth. Councils and experts argue that the new standards conflict with the government's canopy target. They emphasize that without significant investment in public land, particularly streets, the goal cannot be met. Local leaders express concern that the changes will undermine existing tree protection efforts. They call for stronger regulations to ensure that private developments contribute meaningfully to the overall canopy target.