Tree policy changes to grow urban forest as City celebrates milestone

The City of Stirling has stepped up its efforts to protect and grow tree canopy with a strengthened City Trees Policy and the introduction of a Significant Tree Register.

The changes, adopted by Council last month, come as the City celebrates reaching a major tree-planting milestone one year ahead of schedule.

In 2008, the City set itself the goal of planting one million trees and shrubs in the 17 years to 2025 – a target it has now passed as it prepares for the final year of the program.

“I want to congratulate the City on passing the one million-mark with our trees and shrubs program,” Mayor Mark Irwin said.

“The City and Council remain committed to creating cooler, greener neighbourhoods through our Urban Forest Plan.

“Growing tree canopy is a challenge faced by all local governments in Perth, and it’s vital that we keep trying to find solutions, whether that’s through planting or policy.”

Council voted on 15 October to adopt an amended City Trees Policy, which guides the management of all trees owned or managed by the City.

The policy was amended to boost tree canopy on City land and counter the concerning loss of canopy on residential land.

The intent of the amendments is made clear early in the policy, when it states that “all available tree planting locations will be planted” in line with the City’s goal to increase tree canopy.

The amended policy adds stronger verge tree requirements, including for subdivisions and new developments.

It also introduces more protection for certain categories of trees and refines the guidance for the pruning or removal of City trees.

While the City has increased its tree canopy by 130.5 hectares on City land in the past decade, those gains have been offset by losses of 135.5 hectares on residential land.

To encourage the protection of established trees on private property, Council also voted last month to adopt Local Planning Policy 6.17 – Significant Tree Register.

Establishing a voluntary protected tree register was one of the actions outlined in the City’s Urban Forest Plan in 2019.

The City’s register seeks to balance individual property rights with the wider community benefit of retaining established mature trees.

For a tree to be considered for addition to the register, the City must receive written nomination from the owner or owners of the land that contains the tree.

If a tree meets the criteria set out in the policy, the City will obtain an arborist report, and a Tree Assessment Panel will determine the nomination.

Registered trees are protected under the policy, with a notification placed on the property title. These trees can only be removed with the approval of the Tree Assessment Panel.

Any health or remedial works needed to protect a registered tree would be identified in an arborist report updated every five years at the City’s cost.