WA Tree Canopy Advocates has raised concerns about the widespread clearing of established vegetation for new residential estates, warning that current planning regulations are contributing to hotter suburbs with very little natural shade.

According to the organisation, some of Perth's newer suburbs have extremely low tree canopy coverage, with Alkimos, Eglinton and Butler recording just 1 to 1.8 per cent, while Treeby has approximately 2 per cent.

Chair Sarah Allchurch criticised the practice of clearing entire development sites before replacing established vegetation with young trees, arguing that newly planted trees can take between 30 and 60 years to develop enough canopy to provide substantial shade.

She said earlier subdivision practices often retained existing trees and worked around natural landforms, whereas modern developments commonly involve extensive clearing and earthworks to create flat residential lots.

Although Western Australia's planning policies encourage tree planting and landscaping, they do not generally require developers to retain existing mature trees during new subdivisions.

The State Government has introduced several measures intended to increase tree coverage, including revised residential planning codes in 2024, an Urban Greening Strategy, the $10 million Let's Grow program and incentives for residents to plant native trees.

However, WA Tree Canopy Advocates argues that the Government's target of 30 per cent urban tree canopy lacks enforceable requirements and penalties for failing to achieve it.

The Urban Development Institute of Australia acknowledged the importance of trees in reducing urban heat but said developers also had to consider housing affordability, bushfire regulations and the space required for roads, drainage and essential services.

The concerns come as Perth's newer northern and southern suburbs continue to expand, with questions being raised about whether existing planning requirements provide enough protection for established vegetation.