Council endorses new policy to manage trees in the Shire

The Tree Management Plan and Tree Management Policy were adopted at yesterday's Baw Baw Shire Council meeting following an extensive consultation process for both documents, earlier this year. 

These two documents will guide Council when managing its trees in the future, ensuring it is acting in the best interests of the community, while upholding public safety and maintaining green townships that residents can value and appreciate. 

Both the Policy and Plan will supersede and incorporate various existing policies across Council that cover the maintenance of trees in the Shire, summarising these into two, easy to read documents. 

Baw Baw Shire Mayor Cr Annemarie McCabe said she knows how important local trees are to the community, and these policies, in addition to Council’s Significant Trees Register, will ensure they are well looked after, while also respecting the amenity of the community and public safety. 

“Trees play a vital role in creating healthy, thriving and sustainable communities throughout Baw Baw,” she said.  

“They improve the physical and mental health of individuals and families, hold cultural significance and support environmental sustainability. 

“Baw Baw Shire aims to balance the management of trees on Council land with these sentiments in mind, while ensuring the safety of community members and infrastructure.” 

The Tree Management Plan covers the management of trees that are alongside roads and paths managed by Council, in Council managed open space and, in the vicinity of electric lines where Council is responsible for the clearance of trees. The Plan also establishes a clear set of guidelines for Council and the community. 

The Tree Management Policy will become the overarching document informing how Council manages it's urban and rural trees, while also outlining Council’s position and legal requirements for tree management. 

Cr McCabe thanked the 19 community members who made submissions during the consultation period in February this year. 

“The nature of the feedback we received demonstrated a general support of the documents, and also included some suggestions for Council to undertake more tree planting and retain trees as natural habitat where possible,” Cr McCabe said. 

“Council always takes on board feedback from its community, and as a result of the submissions made, there were some minor changes made to the Tree Management Plan.”