Green Spaces:

According to Glen Eira Urban Forest Strategy 2021 (based on the canopy cover loss data), it is estimated 3,000 trees are removed on private land each year. "Privately owned land makes up 66% of Glen Eira, and once private land vegetation has been removed, it is very difficult to replace. As density increases through increased urbanisation and medium density housing development, it leaves very little room for large canopy trees to grow". We need to do more to restore greenery and tree canopy to our private and public spaces. I am committed to promoting higher quality private gardens and public spaces - and this includes promoting indigenous planting.

What is indigenous planting and why is it important?

‘Native plants’ refer to plants from a particular country, like Australia. Whereas ‘indigenous plants’ refer to plants from a certain locality, such as Glen Eira. Indigenous planting is important as these species have evolved to suit the local environmental conditions, such as soil type, temperature, rainfall, etc and so should require less maintenance.

Indigenous plants vitally provide food and habitat for insects, birds, micro-organisms and wildlife - we need to expand these plants beyond remnant patches - you can do more by adding indigenous plants to your garden! We have an amazing local resident citizen scientist who is passionate and committed to protecting and promoting locally indigenous ecosystems - join her Facebook group to learn more: Glen Eira Habitat Gardens

Why is biodiversity important in an urban environment?

Globally we are in a biodiversity crisis. Australia has one of the highest rates of biodiversity decline in the world. Research shows that contact with biodiversity of natural environments within towns and cities is beneficial to human physical, mental and social health and well-being. Biodiverse ecosystems can promote positive health and well-being, and as biodiversity is declining at an unprecedented rate, research is revealing that its loss is a threat to the quality of life of all humans.

Blue Spaces:

What are blue spaces?

Essentially blue spaces are a water body in an urban area. Accessible water bodies are essential to our health, wel-being and social connectedness. We are fortunate in Glen Eira to have a natural water body at Caulfield Racecourse Reserve.

The ‘Biodiversity In Glen Eira’ 2018 report states: “The two central lakes and their surroundings support locally rare, indigenous wetland plants and waterbirds – many of them unique in Glen Eira. One underwater plant species is rare throughout central southern Victoria. The diversity of indigenous plants and birds is high for Glen Eira.” The study also states that “11 species that were not detected growing wild anywhere else in Glen Eira” and “20 indigenous plant species found in 2017 to be growing wild in the reserve”.

You can find out more about this reserve and the community action to protect and promote biodiversity by following: Voices for Nature at Caulfield Racecourse Reserve.

Grey Spaces:

Grey space is open space that is the hard-surfaced impermeable space in our cities that is displacing green space in our private and public land. On private land especially has seen the rise of moonscaping ie the removal of greenery and trees, replacing with hard surfaces and/or synthetic grass.

Increasing development is removing access to green space and increasing the risk of flooding and urban space temperatures. This loss of green space also contributes to poorer air quality, increased greenhouse gas emissions and reduced biodiversity. While we have an initiative in Glen Eira to increase green space, we are still seeing hard surfaces and greenery removal occuring throughout our municipality.

To address the grey space issue in Glen Eira and Jasper Ward, I will advocate for a comprehensive strategy that includes the following actions:

1. Work closely with council and the community to develop stronger action to enhance public spaces and encouraging green initiatives.

2. Advocate for the repurposing of under-utilsed grey spaces into community gardens, playgrounds, or outdoor workout areas, without synthetic or hard surfaces.

3. Collaborate with local businesses and residents to organise clean-up and beautification projects for neglected grey areas, using natural materials, avoiding chemical pollutants.

4. Strive for the establishment of more public art installations and murals to transform bland spaces into vibrant cultural hubs.

5. Explore funding opportunities to support the revitalisation of grey spaces and make them more functional and aesthetically pleasing for the community, through natural materials and greenery planting, and avoidance of synthetics.

By taking these proactive steps, we can transform Glen Eira and Jasper Ward's grey spaces into inviting, sustainable, and engaging places that benefit the entire community.

I made a submission in support of the council’s April 2024 classified tree register amendment consultation - but also included this section on:

Support for Renters 

A significant portion of Glen Eira residents live in rental accommodation. Their rights to build a  garden that they love is overlooked by current policies. As a private renter I understand the pain,  limitations and constraints placed on renters and their gardens. Personally, I have had my request to  landscape my nature strip rejected by my landlord (this is a requirement in the permit for nature strip planting), and indigenous/native trees that I raised from seed and maintained at my expense,  planted safely away from the house structure were ordered to be removed by my landlord, citing  root damage concerns. I spoke with a GEC arborist about this and the trees I had planted were  considered safe re root concerns. The arborist stated that there was a lot of ignorance in the  community about tree benefits/hazards.  

It has become increasingly difficult for me to maintain a healthy garden as climate conditions become  harsher, requiring more watering, and heat impacts on plants becoming more severe without a  private tree canopy. 

My case highlights the need for more community education re urban tree benefits on private land  and the need for legislation changes that improve the rights of renters to grow and maintain healthy  gardens. 

(BTW we have a great 14 year long relationship with our landlord!)