Street Trees

The Shire maintains a comprehensive electronic database of all trees on road reserves, parks and in public spaces. All Shire managed trees are inspected on a regular basis by a qualified arboricultural consultant with the data then entered into a specialised tree management software program. Information gathered on each tree includes details on species, health and condition, a QTRA Risk Assessment, a photographic record, plus a list of recommended works which is placed in a priority rating to assist with forward planning.

Existing street trees must be shown on a feature survey/site plan submitted with a Demolition Permit Application, Development Application, or a Building Permit Application.

Council’s standard street tree is the Peppermint Tree (Agonis Flexuosa) and the Shire is responsible for the entire stock of street trees.

Application must be made to the Shire for trimming, removal or replacement of any street trees and justification provided. All costs associated with removing, relocating or replacing street trees are to be borne by the proponent. 

Document Centre - Public Tree Strategy

Street Verges

The Shire encourages residents to establish and maintain lawns on street verges.

Couch, Buffalo, Dichondra or Lippia are the approved permissible verge treatments. Tree pruning undertaken by the Shire staff at the discretion of the Chief Executive Officer will allow sufficient sunlight to support the growth of these grasses.

Vegetation other than Peppermint Trees and approved grasses, are generally not permitted. Verges are already developed with other plants and grasses, shall be allowed to remain, but their continuance is at the discretion of Council.

Non-slip paving stones and pathways providing connectivity between an access gate and a footpath may also be permitted subject to a permit under the local law or when forming part of a development application.

The Shire's Activities in Thoroughfares and Public Places and Trading Local Law specifies the permissible verge treatments, general prohibitions and activities allowed with a permit within a verge.

Trees on Private Property

The Shire has an obligation under state legislation to promote environmental sustainability, mitigate the effects associated with climate change, and to consider impacts on future generations. Planning controls are necessary to support this commitment, and to minimise adverse impacts on the tree canopy cover resulting from residential infill development.

In response, the Shire has adopted Local Planning Policy 7 - Tree Retention to encourage the retention of regulated trees and establishment of new trees on private land.

A regulated tree means a living tree that is of a species that is not included on State or local area weed register and satisfies two or more of the following qualifiers:

• Is 8m or higher; or
• Has an average canopy diameter of at least 6m; or
• Has a truck circumference of at least 1.5m, measured 1.4m above the ground.

This local planning policy clarifies the circumstances in which development approval is required for any tree damaging activity to a regulated tree and guides the assessment of subdivision and amalgamation applications, demolition and building permit applications, development applications and strategic planning proposals.

Maintenance pruning is permissible as-of-right and includes removing dead or diseased wood, the thinning of a crown that does not adversely affect the health of the tree or harvesting fruit.

Branches overhanging common property boundaries or encroaching into common property can also be lopped without approval. Branches encroaching into a road reservation or a right-of-way may also be lopped as-of-right with the prior written permission of the Shire, or by the Shire.

Please note that the Shire does not engage arborists to assess the health of private trees or structural engineers to assess risk to infrastructure or buildings.