大悉尼地区的树冠覆盖率正在缓慢增长，但专家警告增速不足以实现政府宏大计划。根据最新数据，该地区树冠覆盖率从2022-23年的21.7%增至2024-25年的21.9%[1]，增幅仅为0.2个百分点。尽管政府通过Greening our City项目在2020年至2025年底间投入超过6000万澳元、种植超过50万棵树[1]，但按照目前增速，到2036年树冠覆盖率仅能达到23%[1]，远低于政府定下的40%目标[1]。
新开发区的树冠覆盖情况尤其令人担忧。西悉尼多个新兴社区的树冠覆盖率极低，其中Melonba仅为4.01%，Oran Park为4.12%，Gregory Hills为4.42%[1]。专家指出，这些区域因开发商留给大树生长的空间不足，将长期保持相对荒芜的状态。Gwilym Griffiths认为40%的目标"志向远大但不现实"[1]，而Peter Davies教授则强调，"很多住房，如果又热、没有美感、不舒适就没有意义"[1]。研究表明，树木可以将地面温度降低6度，且树冠覆盖率达30%以上的社区健康指标明显更佳[1]。
Greater Sydney's tree canopy coverage has increased modestly from 21.7% in 2022-23 to 21.9% in 2024-25, according to new data, yet experts warn the expansion remains far too slow to meet official targets.[1] The New South Wales government aims to lift canopy coverage to 40% by 2036, but current growth trajectories suggest the region will only achieve approximately 23% by that deadline.[1]
The disparity is particularly acute in newly developed western Sydney suburbs, where developers have left insufficient space for mature trees to flourish. Areas such as Melonba record canopy coverage of just 4.01%, while Oran Park and Gregory Hills lag at 4.12% and 4.42% respectively.[1] These low-growth zones are expected to remain denuded for years to come.
The government has invested more than 60 million Australian dollars through its Greening our City initiative, planting over 500,000 trees between 2020 and the end of 2025.[1] Research demonstrates that trees deliver significant public health and climate benefits—canopy coverage can reduce ground temperature by up to 6 degrees, and communities with tree coverage exceeding 30% report substantially better health outcomes.[1]
Expert commentary suggests the gulf between ambition and feasibility is widening. One observer characterized the 40% target as "ambitious but unrealistic."[1] Another researcher stated that "many homes, if they are hot, lack aesthetic appeal, and feel uncomfortable, lose their purpose."[1]