Urban Forest Strategy Street Tree Plan Review 2017

TA29

Action 3.4

An action within the Environment and Sustainability Strategy has triggered the 2017 review

3.4 Update the City’s Street Tree Plan to include information on ecological value of listed species and develop detailed tree selection for environmentally sensitive areas

TA30

The Street Tree Plan • is a plan to guide street tree

operations: selection, planting and tree management on verges

• is not a public master plan which selects trees for specific locations

Street Tree Plan TA31

Intent of the Street Tree Plan 2013 was to – Guide street tree planting on residential and non-

residential verges – Categorise trees by verge size – Detail street tree planting process and tree

placement – Document some management considerations of

street trees

Street Tree Plan 2013

TA32

The Street Tree Plan 2017 • Remains as an internal operational document • Is subsidiary to the Urban Forest Strategy • Identifies that street trees increase the

liveability of urban areas • Provides tree selection rationale

– Street tree ecology and resilience – what grows well in a verge?

Street Tree Plan 2017

TA33

Street Tree Plan 2017 Continued • Guides street tree planting on residential and non-

residential verges – Historical Streetscape Context

• Maintaining consistency and amenity – Placement considerations

• Infrastructure – Categorises street trees into verge sizes

• Right tree for right sized verge – Documents street tree planting procedures

• Identifying verges, engaging property owners, planning the season – Guides street tree aftercare

• Maintenance – Standardised responses to street tree removal requests

TA34

Tree Removal The City

will not remove a street tree if

• It is “a nuisance” (looks bad, disliked, drops too many leaves/nuts/bark/flowers, attracts fauna – insects, bees, birds etc.)

• Someone wishes to develop their land without approval • Someone wishes to install a permitted verge treatment • It shades pools, lawns, gardens or solar panels (PV or hot water) • It results in unsubstantiated allergy or health complications • Based on QTRA methodology a qualified arborist deems the tree to present a

low risk of harm • A request by the tenant is not supported by the property owner • It is protected under Law

The City may

remove a street tree if

• It is dead, diseased or dying • It is structurally unsound (dangerous) and cannot be remediated • An application (i.e. Development, Crossover) has been approved and the tree

will be replaced or compensated • It has been affected by infrastructure works and cannot be retained • Based on QTRA methodology a qualified arborists deems the tree to present an

unacceptable risk of harm • There is a contributing substantiated link causing a serious or severe medical

condition

TA35

• The Street Tree Plan – Identifies whether street trees WA Native, Australian

Native or exotic – Identifies deciduous and evergreen trees – Identifies flowering trees and flowering period – Identifies ecological characteristics of the trees; i.e.

drought tolerant – Notes that all street trees provide some ecological

value to the urban environment

Ecological Values TA36

• The Street Tree Plan now identifies the process for the pruning of or removal of native street trees that require a clearing permit as per the Environmental Protection Act 1986

• A native street tree that is endemic to the area and has not been intentionally planted or propagated will require a clearing permit.

Ecological Value TA37

• The Plan guides street tree planting on residential and non-residential verges (i.e. commercial, industrial) in consultation with the adjacent property owner

• New process in plan: – Due consideration is given to POS and natural areas

prior to selecting a street tree for the adjacent verge – Consult with land manager – Plant an appropriate street tree which compliments

the streetscape and the POS/natural area

Ecological Value TA38

Extract from Street Tree Plan 2017 TA39

Update - Street Tree Planting 2017

81 96

47

383

115

427

141

64

4 7 11

14%

7% 9%

17%

26%

TA40

Strategic Community Plan 2016-2036

Environment & Sustainability Strategy

Urban Forest Strategy

Canopy Plan Street Tree Plan Revision 2017

Street Tree Plan TA41