Public Tree Management

TREE PRUNING AND GENERAL MAINTENANCE

All routine maintenance tasks carried out on trees in public spaces shall be carried out by Council or a Council appointed contractor.  These works must be completed by a minimum AQF3 Arborist and comply with AS4373-2007 Pruning of Amenity Trees, where practical.

Maintenance tasks will consist of tree pruning and related activities, aimed at risk mitigation, improving tree health, structure, and maintaining clearance zones for buildings and for pedestrian and vehicular traffic in accordance with the Urban Tree Management Strategy.

Tree planting by persons other than Council officers in roads and public land requires authorisation by Council.

It is important to note that Council do not consent to prune trees to enhance views, accommodate temporary non-essential infrastructure, reduce leaf/flower/fruit drop, block solar access, utilities, or mitigate the impact of animal waste or noise. Council also advocates for improved pruning practices for street trees under power lines, which are carried out by third-party entities.

Council acknowledges that works to be undertaken are subject to available financial and other resources.

ILLEGAL TREE REMOVAL, MODIFICATION AND POISIONING

Council will investigate and if appropriate, pursue legal action, where sufficient evidence can be collected, against any person(s) or corporation(s) that removes, damages, or modifies a tree without prior approval from Council.  Council will consider, when appropriate, installing signs identifying any Council controlled vandalised trees.

Council will develop a program to increase public awareness of tree vandalism to reduce the incidence of tree vandalism.  We will consider the retention or delay removal of appropriate trees that have been poisoned or otherwise damaged.  These trees will be managed until they are removed and/or replaced.

PESTS AND DISEASES

Council will monitor and treat pest disease issues as part of the tree maintenance program for all trees under Councils’ management.  Council has committed to tracking and educating the community on new and emerging pests and diseases affecting the Shire’s trees.

EMERGENCY EVENTS

During storm events, tree management is typically conducted without prior consultation with the community and internal stakeholders to promptly address any potential risks.  Both public and private trees are assessed for imminent risks, and applications are processed urgently during this time.

TREE STRUCTURES/ORNAMENTS

To preserve tree health, no signage, structural or hanging apparatus shall be secured to any tree managed by Council without prior permission.  Council reserves the right to remove such structures and apparatus or request their removal by the adjoining property owner.  Damage to any tree managed by Council shall be considered vandalism. 

Do you want to learn more about how trees support our wildlife? 

A tree may have died but it is still a spot for wildlife to live and thrive. Click to learn more about how trees support wildlife in all stages of its lifecycle. 

Habitat for Wildlife

Tree hollows form in the branches of live or dead trees, usually in much older trees. Because they take so long to form and provide important habitat for many of our native species, Council will maintain retention wherever possible and appropriate to the urban landscape. Click to learn more about how tree hollows provide homes for wildlife below.

Tree Hollows & Bushrock - Homes for Wildlife