Strathbogie Shire Council is seeking community input into its Draft Tree Management Plan, which is now out for consultation.
The draft plan provides the framework for the maintenance, renewal and risk management of all tree assets growing on Council owned and managed land. This includes trees within designated roads and other reserves in Strathbogie Shire.
“Council’s green infrastructure – which includes our trees, are highly valued by our community and contribute greatly to the amenity of the built environment within our shire,” Deputy Mayor, Cr Paul Murray, said.
“Trees enhance liveability, landscape character and biodiversity.
“Trees are also widely recognised for their contribution to reducing the impacts of climate change, improving water conservation and for their shade which can significantly reduce daytime temperatures.”
Cr Binks said it was acknowledged that despite their benefits, the presence of trees in public areas could create a degree of risk to people, property and services through loss of limbs or total tree failure.
“Tree management also comes at a considerable cost in terms of plantings and maintenance, and can have significant impacts on infrastructure including drainage, construction projects, roads and footpaths.”
The council’s Draft Tree Management Plan documents the management strategies that council has in place to ensure the longevity and quality of trees within the shire’s urban environments, as well as the risk management framework that will be applied to mitigate risk to the community as much as is reasonable and practicable.
Inspection intervals and response times are identified as part of council’s risk management framework, which includes:
• A robust risk rating framework and methodology for tree assessment and hazards which then link into maintenance and inspection programs.
• Maintenance scheduling.
• Inspection timeframes and requirements, including a rolling five-year program of regular condition and hazards inspections.
“We are responsible for more than 15,000 trees throughout on municipality on council managed roads, streets, parks and open spaces. This includes local roads designated under the Road Management Act 2004,” he said.
“It is also Council’s responsibility under Section 43 of the Country Fire Authority Act 1958 to ‘take all practicable steps to prevent the occurrence of fires on, and minimise the danger of the spread of fires, on any road under its care and management’.”
The Draft Plan does not cover trees within Environmental Significance, Vegetation Protection and Heritage Overlays – these are administered by the council’s Planning Department.
