Australian Capital Territory

ranks

for green cover compared to similar places across Australia

Australian Capital Territory is

Suburban, spacious and average-high rainfall

<50^% urban

Low density

Ave to high rainfall

vital statistics

426,704

population

LOW

HIGH

1.6^%

population growth (ave annual % change over past 20 years)

LOW

HIGH

181

population density
(people per sq km)

LOW

HIGH

15.8^%

proportion of LGA that is urban

LOW

HIGH

13.8^%

proportion apartments

LOW

HIGH

1,089

measure of advantage and disadvantage
(SEIFA-IRSAD)

LOW

HIGH

31.2^%

parents born overseas

LOW

HIGH

838.7

rainfall
(annual ave mm)

LOW

HIGH

7.3^%

bushfire affected
(% of LGA area burnt last 5 years)

LOW

HIGH

ACT has

54.7^%

canopy
(typically over 3m)

Up 9.1^% since 2016

12.7^%

shrub
(typically below 3m)

Up 8.2^% since 2016

26.7^%

grass
and bare ground

Down -15.8^% since 2016

Your green cover

Your green space

5.9^%

grey
(hard surface, e.g. pavement, roads and roofs)

Down -1.5^% since 2016

54.7^%

canopy
(over 3m)

Up 9.1^% since 2016

12.7^%

shrub
(over 3m)

Up 8.2^% since 2016

26.7^%

grass
(over 3m)

Down -15.8^% since 2016

5.9^%

grey
(hard surface, e.g. pavement, roads and roofs)

Down -1.5^% since 2016

Your green cover

Your green space

SHADE & COOLING

PLACES TO RIDE & RUN

WILDLIFE HABITAT

AESTHETICS & VALUE

green cover is important

While grass is great for recreation, green cover is what creates many of the other big benefits, like keeping suburbs and homes cool and giving shade for walking, running and active transport.

It also brings wildlife into suburbs and makes them more appealing to the eye which, in turn, can make them more valuable.

When it comes to green cover

ACT

ranks

7

25

for green cover compared to similar places across Australia

with

67.4^%

green cover

ACT
is here

75^%+

50-75^%

25-50^%

0-25^%

1. Cairns Regional Council (QLD): 82.9^%

2. Hornsby Shire Council (NSW): 78.6^%

3. Yarra Ranges Council (VIC): 78.6^%

4. Kingborough Council (TAS): 73.9^%

5. Sutherland Shire Council (NSW): 72.6^%

6. Redland City Council (QLD): 68.3^%

7. Australian Capital Territory: 67.4^%

8. Sunshine Coast Council (QLD): 65.9^%

9. City of Launceston (TAS): 65.7^%

10. Glenorchy City Council (TAS): 65.1^%

11. The Hills Shire Council (NSW): 63.5^%

12. City of Armadale (WA): 62.4^%

13. Shire of Mundaring (WA): 62.1^%

14. Townsville City Council (QLD): 61.5^%

15. City of Kalamunda (WA): 59.7^%

16. Moreton Bay Regional Council (QLD): 57.7^%

17. City of Gold Coast (QLD): 56.1^%

18. Logan City Council (QLD): 54.9^%

19. Nillumbik Shire Council (VIC): 53^%

20. Cambelltown City Council (NSW): 51.5^%

21. Adelaide Hills Council (SA): 50.1^%

22. Ipswich City Council (QLD): 44.6^%

23. Mornington Peninsula Shire (VIC): 31.5^%

24. Cardinia Shire Council (VIC): 30.7^%

25. Penrith City Council (NSW): 30.4^%

75^%+

ACT
is here

1. Cairns Regional Council (QLD): 82.9^%

2. Hornsby Shire Council (NSW): 78.6^%

3. Yarra Ranges Council (VIC): 78.6^%

50-75^%

ACT
is here

4. Kingborough Council (TAS): 73.9^%

5. Sutherland Shire Council (NSW): 72.6^%

6. Redland City Council (QLD): 68.3^%

7. Australian Capital Territory: 67.4^%

8. Sunshine Coast Council (QLD): 65.9^%

9. City of Launceston (TAS): 65.7^%

10. Glenorchy City Council (TAS): 65.1^%

11. The Hills Shire Council (NSW): 63.5^%

12. City of Armadale (WA): 62.4^%

13. Shire of Mundaring (WA): 62.1^%

14. Townsville City Council (QLD): 61.5^%

15. City of Kalamunda (WA): 59.7^%

16. Moreton Bay Regional Council (QLD): 57.7^%

17. City of Gold Coast (QLD): 56.1^%

18. Logan City Council (QLD): 54.9^%

19. Nillumbik Shire Council (VIC): 53^%

20. Cambelltown City Council (NSW): 51.5^%

21. Adelaide Hills Council (SA): 50.1^%

25-50^%

ACT
is here

22. Ipswich City Council (QLD): 44.6^%

23. Mornington Peninsula Shire (VIC): 31.5^%

24. Cardinia Shire Council (VIC): 30.7^%

25. Penrith City Council (NSW): 30.4^%

0-25^%

ACT
is here

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to see how green changes a street in a place like yours

ACT's

GREEN COVER

has

INCREASED

17.3^%

since 2016

moderately above

comparable places

This means there is a

Lower

challenge rating for ACT in maintaining and growing future green cover

This information is based in its entirety on: Hurley, J., Amati, M., Deilami, K., Caffin, M., Stanford, H., Azizmohammad, S. (2020) Where will all the trees be? - an assessment of urban forest cover and management for Australian cities, prepared for Hort Innovation by the Centre for Urban Research, RMIT University, Melbourne and Greener Spaces Better Places.

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