Trees are essential in a warming climate, they cool us down, provide habitat for wildlife and provide a range of health and economic benefits. However, we are still losing large amounts of canopy each year, often as a result of development on private land.
The following initiatives have been implemented to ensure trees are given due consideration for and during development:
- Implementation of a voluntary Significant Tree Register for trees on privately owned properties
- Tree planting provisions for private sites
- Variations to site and development standards where the non-compliance standard would enable the retention of an established tree on the development site
- Protecting street trees in the verge area adjacent to developing sites.
Significant tree register
The supplementary provisions (Schedule A) of Local Planning Scheme No. 3 sets out the parameters for establishing a Significant Tree Register. The voluntarily register allows property owners to register their trees which the City will provide assistance to maintained.
In November 2022, Council resolved to support Scheme Amendment No 113 and the associated Local Planning Policy 6.17 – Significant Tree Register referring these planning documents to the Western Australian Planning Commission for determination by the Minister for Planning.
On 30 September 2024 the Minister for Planning approved Scheme Amendment No. 113 with this coming into effect upon gazettal on 22 October 2024.
With the approval of Scheme Amendment No. 113, Council considered and resolved to adopt the associated guiding Local Planning Policy 6.17 Significant Tree Register at its meeting of 15 October 2024.
Trees approved for inclusion to the Significant Tree Register will be protected from damage and removal through a Section 70a Notification placed on the Certificate of title of the property(s) that contain the tree and any structural root zones.
To nominate a tree on your property for the Significant Tree Register, please complete a nomination form and lodge with the City.
If you have any questions about the process, please contact the City on (08) 9205 8555.
Tree planting provisions for private sites
There are requirements relating to trees located on private sites, such as planting, retention and protection through development.
Residential developments valued at $100,000 or above are now required to:
- Retain existing Significant Trees or plant new Advanced Trees as per the State Planning Policy 7.3 – Residential Design Codes (R-Codes) - generally 1 tree per home.
Non- residential developments valued at $100,000 or above are now required to:
- Retain 1 significant existing tree for each 500m2 of land or
- Plant 1 new advanced tree for each 500m2 of land where no significant trees exist.
These requirements are outlined in Local Planning Policy 6.11 – Trees and Development, and supplemented by the R-Codes.
Local Planning Policy 6.6 Landscaping requires a minimum of 1 tree for each 6 car bays to be planted in new car parks.
The City uses the Helliwell system to calculate the monetary value of a tree. This globally recognised system calculates a tree’s financial amenity value using a number of criteria including its life expectancy, tree size, rarity, importance in the landscape and the presence of other trees. This is an important step towards ensuring trees are valued as important community assets.
Learn how to retain trees during development
Click here
Variations to site and development standards
Clause 5.5.1 of Local Planning Scheme No.3 allows Council discretion to approve development (except where the Residential Design Codes apply), which does not comply with a standard or requirement prescribed under the Scheme unconditionally or subject to such conditions as the Council thinks fit.
The power conferred by Clause 5.5.1 may be exercised on the sole ground that non-compliance with the standard or requirement would enable retention of an established tree on the site of the development.
Protecting street trees in the verge area adjacent to developing sites
Street trees contribute to the visual amenity of streets, provide shade and cooling for homes and footpaths, and provide food and habitat for wildlife. Street trees are the property of the City of Stirling and must be protected during development on adjacent private land.
Street trees will not be removed to allow development on private land. New developments should be planned so that driveways and crossovers do not conflict with street trees and the required setbacks are achieved. Setbacks are based upon tree trunk diameter and are required so that sufficient space is available for future tree growth and to prevent damage to driveways by tree roots.
For more information, visit the crossover page.
Street trees will not be removed to allow development on private land. The location and width of driveways on subdivided land will be impacted by existing street trees. Subdivision plans should consider how future homes can be developed and crossovers located while achieving required setbacks from existing street trees.
For more information, visit the crossover page.
A physical barrier or Tree Protection Zone must be installed around street trees to protect them from accidental or deliberate damage during construction and development on adjacent private land.
For more information, view the City Trees Policy.
Bond values are based upon the trees Helliwell value - please see the FAQ above for more detail. Bonds may be forfeited if street trees are damaged or die as a result of development.
For more information, view the City Trees Policy.
Where development approval is required, and no street tree currently exits adjacent to the property being developed, the City will plant one or more new street trees on the verge. Where a condition of Development Approval is applied, fees will apply.
The verge is the area of public land located between a street kerb line and the boundary of an adjoining property.
Verge permits are required if you are developing your property and a verge treatment application form is required for any modifications to your verge.
Please visit the Verges page to learn more.
