About

Geraldton Tree Canopy Advocates (GTCA) is a group of community volunteers passionate about revitalizing the natural beauty and liveability of Geraldton in Western Australia’s Midwest region.

Our focus lies with the planting of trees on verges and in public spaces to provide a green canopy that will shelter and cool our streets from the hot sun whilst providing habitats for local birds, inspects and wildlife. 

GTCA was the first regional tree advocacy group and is aligned with the Western Australian Tree Canopy Advocates (WATCA) which is the state umbrella for a growing network of separate local Tree Canopy Advocacy groups representing 30 Local Government Areas across WA and more than 30,000 community members who want the state government and councils to take urgent action.

Why Plant Trees?

Perth has the lowest tree canopy (16%) of any capital in Australia. WATCA seeks a Tree Canopy Target of 30% by 2040 and supports WA Local Government Association’s Local Planning Policy to protect trees over 8 m tall on private land. The State Government has also announced a rebate incentive. Geraldton has a tree canopy of less than 8%, aiming for a target of 20%.

Find out more about how tree canopy is important at Sustainable Gardening Australia. Explore benefits including cooling the heat island effect (by up to 8 degrees), reducing wind speeds (by up to 10%), absorbing pollutants and harmful emissions, increasing property values, absorbing stormwater and stabilising soil and improving our mental and cardiovascular health.

From 2001 to 2024, Geraldton-Greenough lost 875 ha of tree cover (pink) equivalent to 36% of the tree cover in 2000. From 2000 to 2020, Geraldton-Greenough gained 903 ha of tree cover. This compares with gains in Dundas (78500 ha), Esperance (34500 ha), Albany (29900 ha), Plantagenet (26200 ha) and Wyndham-East Kimberley (18600 ha).

GTCA works in partnership with the City of Greater Geraldton (CGG) to support their commitments under various local government green plans, projects and targets. CGG offer a Verge Tree Program which is completely independant of GTCA work.

GTCA can offer advice on tree selection and placement. We are a supportive network of passionate individuals who foster seedlings, plant trees in public spaces in accordance with local government guidelines and we coordinate teams of volunteers to water them over the hot summer months.