John advocates the preservation of tree cover in Shepparton's mall

Robert McLean and John Pettigrew (right) as
they appeared recently on the front page of the
Shepparton News where John advocated for
the maintenance of the mall's tree cover.

Summer brings out the heliophobe in many of us. It’s manageable if you live in a house that stays cool when shut up tight. It helps if you’re physically capable of crossing to the shadier side of a hot street. It’s even better if you can work from home or use public transport stops that enjoy the cover of buildings or trees.

We have reason to think a lot about shade these days, especially as the heatwaves roll in. At such times, shade is our friend. On top of the existing urban heat island effect, the incidence of extreme heat events is rising. These events are also lasting longer and getting hotter.

Read The Conversation article - “In a heatwave, the leafy suburbs are even more advantaged.”

(Recently, a Beneath the Wisteria supporter, John Pettigrew, from Bunbartha near Shepparton, commented on suggestions that the Shepparton’s pedestrianized Maude St Mall might be opened to motor vehicles saying:

“It is difficult to understand council’s flirtation with the Mall’s removal when ‘Green Islands’ providing community refuge during extreme heat events are being installed all over the world.

We need look no further than the City of Melbourne’s Urban Forest Strategy which will play a critical role in maintaining the health and liveability of Melbourne.

Many councils around the world are also restricting private cars from CBD’s, encouraging, public transport, cycling and promoting pedestrian movements.

It would appear if the Mall was open to slow moving traffic this would do little to satisfy store holders and without parking spaces also provided.  The removal of trees and shade infrastructure to provide parking in a CBD would be out of step with worlds accepted best practice.”)