珀斯市的树冠覆盖率仅为16%，是澳洲首都城市中最低的[1]。这一状况源于城市扩张和开发对城市森林的持续破坏，其中85%的珀斯树冠位于私人拥有的土地上[1]。
多个地方议会因砍伐树木而引发社区反弹。弗里曼特尔市议会因土壤中存在石棉需要移除26棵树，包括几棵壮观的诺福克松树[1]。作为珀斯最大的地方政府，斯特林市在开发过程中失去了超过120万平方米的树冠[1]。
面对树木流失的困境，西澳工党承诺将树冠覆盖率从现有的16%增至30%，目标定在2040年[1]。然而，WA Tree Canopy Advocates主席Sarah Allchurch指出，"我们根本无法通过植树解决这个问题"[1]。绿党议员Brad Pettitt呼吁加强州范围内的树木和灌木丛保护计划[1]。这一号召凸显了在私人土地上缺乏有效树木保护法律的现状[1]。
Perth's urban forest is in crisis, with the Western Australian capital city boasting a tree canopy cover of just 16 percent—the lowest among Australia's capital cities [1]. This dramatic decline stems from urban expansion and development that has systematically destroyed the city's green infrastructure [1]. The challenge is compounded by the fact that 85 percent of Perth's remaining tree canopy is situated on privately owned land [1], leaving significant portions beyond the reach of direct government intervention.
Recent tree-felling initiatives have sparked community backlash across local councils. Fremantle City Council has proceeded with the removal of 26 trees, including several magnificent Norfolk pines, citing the presence of asbestos in the soil [1]. Meanwhile, Sterling, Perth's largest local government area, has lost over 1.2 million square meters of tree canopy through development activities [1]. These incidents highlight the tension between urban development pressures and environmental preservation at the local level.
In response to growing concerns, the Western Australian Labor government has committed to increasing tree canopy cover from 16 percent to 30 percent by 2040 [1]. However, experts warn that planting alone will not solve the problem. Sarah Allchurch, chair of WA Tree Canopy Advocates, emphasizes that "we simply cannot solve this issue through tree planting" [1]. Green Party MP Brad Pettitt has called for stronger state-wide protection programs for trees and shrubs [1], underlining the need for comprehensive legislative action to safeguard existing vegetation rather than relying solely on new plantings.