The Western Australian government is partnering with researchers from Murdoch University, investing over AU$670,000 in state funding to deliver two environmental projects aimed at advancing urban greening and protecting the state’s endangered black cockatoos.
Funded through the state government’s Let’s Grow initiative, the dual research programs, the Black Cockatoo Conservation project and the Green Links project, will generate crucial data, detailed mapping, and practical planning frameworks.
These tools will assist state and local governments alongside regional communities in fostering cooler, greener, and more liveable urban environments.
The three-year Black Cockatoo Conservation project will examine movement, health, and habitat data to pinpoint key conservation zones. The initiative aims to safeguard and rehabilitate crucial habitats for all three threatened south-west black cockatoo species while improving how urban environments accommodate native fauna.
Concurrently, the two-year Green Links project will focus on identifying opportunities to enhance habitat connectivity across Perth and Peel.
By establishing connected corridors of vegetation, the project seeks to facilitate wildlife movement, promote local biodiversity, and expand tree canopy cover to help achieve the state government’s target of 30 per cent canopy cover by 2040.
“By partnering with Murdoch University, we’re bringing specialist expertise together to deliver more co-ordinated urban greening and to help protect the Black Cockatoo population,” said Planning and Lands Minister John Carey.
He noted that the initiative complements broader state measures, including revised residential development codes that encourage tree retention and dedicated canopy recovery programs.
Environment Minister Matthew Swinbourn added that connecting habitat patches across neighbourhoods will protect threatened native species while encouraging community-led action.
“These projects will also help inspire people across the community to take urban greening action, creating a more nature-rich city for generations to come.
“Every tree and patch of vegetation can make a difference, but when we plan and connect those efforts across our urban neighbourhoods, they can achieve much more for people and nature.”