Urban Forest Strategic Plan

Help shape the Gold Coast’s urban forest

Trees are more than just greenery, they are a living part of our city that support people, wildlife, and our way of life.

  • Trees make our city cooler by reducing urban heat.
  • Shade provided by trees lowers the risk of sunburn and skin cancer.
  • Trees support wildlife and clean our air.
  • Trees and canopy cover are associated with increased property values, reduced crime and social cohesion.

Trees, plants, and soil comprise the City’s urban forest. That is why the city is creating a plan to protect, grow, and manage our urban forest to continue providing these benefits now and into the future.

The Urban Forest Strategic Plan

The City of Gold Coast is creating a 10-year Urban Forest Strategic Plan. This plan will:

  • Show the current state of canopy cover and biodiversity across the city.
  • Highlight where shade and trees are most needed.
  • Balance tree planting with housing, development, and infrastructure needs.
  • Provide a shared direction for the city, council, and community to work together.

Early data and mapping give us a powerful picture of:

  1. Heat stress areas – are where neighbourhoods are hottest and need more shade.
  2. Vegetation Condition Index (VCI) – where trees are healthy and where they are under pressure.
  3. Vegetation distribution – where trees and vegetation are and where they aren’t.

This information guides decisions on where vegetation needs to be managed better, and where more trees and shade are most needed.

Figure 1. Science-based data helps us understand our city’s trees.
These example maps show: (a) neighbourhood heat stress – where suburbs are hottest (red) and need more shade; and (b) vegetation condition – where trees are healthy (purple) and where they are under more stress (red). This information guides decisions on where more trees and shade are most needed.


What the plan can and cannot do

The plan is about realistic and positive change over the next decade, and can identify opportunities to:

  • Increase canopy cover where it will bring the most benefit.
  • Protect biodiversity and tree health.
  • Support residents who want to care for trees.

The plan cannot:

  • Fix every tree issue overnight.
  • Plant trees in every location (some areas aren’t suitable because of underground pipes, cables, or roads).
  • Succeed without community involvement.


We want to hear from you!

Have your say today:

This consultation is open from Tuesday 11 November to Tuesday 25 November 2025.

Help shape the Gold Coast’s urban forest

Trees are more than just greenery, they are a living part of our city that support people, wildlife, and our way of life.

  • Trees make our city cooler by reducing urban heat.
  • Shade provided by trees lowers the risk of sunburn and skin cancer.
  • Trees support wildlife and clean our air.
  • Trees and canopy cover are associated with increased property values, reduced crime and social cohesion.

Trees, plants, and soil comprise the City’s urban forest. That is why the city is creating a plan to protect, grow, and manage our urban forest to continue providing these benefits now and into the future.

The Urban Forest Strategic Plan

The City of Gold Coast is creating a 10-year Urban Forest Strategic Plan. This plan will:

  • Show the current state of canopy cover and biodiversity across the city.
  • Highlight where shade and trees are most needed.
  • Balance tree planting with housing, development, and infrastructure needs.
  • Provide a shared direction for the city, council, and community to work together.

Early data and mapping give us a powerful picture of:

  1. Heat stress areas – are where neighbourhoods are hottest and need more shade.
  2. Vegetation Condition Index (VCI) – where trees are healthy and where they are under pressure.
  3. Vegetation distribution – where trees and vegetation are and where they aren’t.

This information guides decisions on where vegetation needs to be managed better, and where more trees and shade are most needed.

Figure 1. Science-based data helps us understand our city’s trees.
These example maps show: (a) neighbourhood heat stress – where suburbs are hottest (red) and need more shade; and (b) vegetation condition – where trees are healthy (purple) and where they are under more stress (red). This information guides decisions on where more trees and shade are most needed.


What the plan can and cannot do

The plan is about realistic and positive change over the next decade, and can identify opportunities to:

  • Increase canopy cover where it will bring the most benefit.
  • Protect biodiversity and tree health.
  • Support residents who want to care for trees.

The plan cannot:

  • Fix every tree issue overnight.
  • Plant trees in every location (some areas aren’t suitable because of underground pipes, cables, or roads).
  • Succeed without community involvement.


We want to hear from you!

Have your say today:

This consultation is open from Tuesday 11 November to Tuesday 25 November 2025.

Page last updated: 11 Nov 2025, 11:43 PM