Review of the Trees of Significance Policy
The City of Vincent has reviewed its Trees of Significance Policy and is seeking community feedback on proposed changes.
Background
Perth has the lowest tree canopy coverage in Australia and is continuing to see a loss of existing trees as part of new developments and in public spaces. This tree canopy loss is being accelerated due to the spread of polyphagous shot-hole borer.
The planning framework currently provides limited controls for retaining existing trees and providing new tree canopy.
The current Policy No. 7.6.3 – Trees of Significance aims to:
- Inform applicants and residents that trees listed on the City’s Trees of Significance Inventory (Inventory) are protected under the City’s Local Planning Scheme No.2 (LPS2).
- Provide direction on the requirements for trees listed on the Inventory.
- Provide a framework for owners to nominate trees for inclusion on the Inventory.
It guides nomination of, and planning requirements for, trees that are listed on the Inventory.
Currently landowners must nominate trees for inclusion on the Inventory, accompanied by an arborist report.
The Inventory and Trees of Significance Policy provide protection for trees on private property because an existing provision of LPS2 does not allow removal of a tree on the Inventory without development approval.
Despite the above, there has been a low uptake in the nomination of significant trees on private land.
Policy details
Despite encouragement in the existing policy, the number of nominations for significant trees on private land remains low.
This review of the Trees of Significance Policy is an opportunity to consider new ways of improving Vincent’s urban canopy, as well as to advocate for improved urban greening and environmentally sustainable design through new development.
The Policy review aims to increase the number of nominations by:
- Removing nomination costs
- Making it easier for landowners to nominate a tree for inclusion in the Inventory
- Expanding the range of incentives
- Simplifying maintenance of registered trees.
The Review is summarised in the table below:
Summary of Policy Review | ||
Theme | Issues | Administration Comments |
Third Party Nominations | The current Policy is silent on third party nominations. | In addition to landowners, third parties would be able to nominate trees for inclusion on the Inventory where the trees are not located on their own property. This would increase the opportunity for nominations to be made and for trees to be listed on the Inventory. |
Criteria for listing a tree on the inventory | The current criteria can be considered onerous and restrictive. | To simplify the criteria for nominating trees, we propose to use the R Codes definition of a Significant Existing Tree which includes trees of a 4 metre height and/or canopy. In comparison the protected trees listed in the WALGA Model Policy are 8 metres high and/or a canopy of at least 6 metres. We have also included reference to the following native species which do not meet the criteria listed above. These species include the Nuytsia floribunda (Western Australian Christmas Tree), Xanthorrhoea (Grass Tree), and Banksia species. |
Delegation for listing a tree on the Inventory | The current Policy outlines that Council is required to approve listings. This adds significant time to listing a tree. | Simplified process to enable us to approve the listing of new trees when nominated by a landowner. The exception to this is where a third party nomination is received, and the landowner of the property where the tree is located objects to the nomination. Council would be required to determine these requests. Council would also be required to determine requests to remove trees from the Inventory. |
Exemptions to development approval | The current Policy requires all development approval for all works to a tree listed on the Inventory | Acknowledging the difficulty in undertaking maintenance/pruning trees of significance, we propose to provide exemptions from requiring development approval. These exemptions are based on those included in the WALGA Model Policy. |
Other Incentives | The incentive program under the current Policy is limited to grant funding. | The current Policy No. 7.6.3 does not provide for any consideration of development standards where it would provide a site responsive design that would retain a significant tree. It is proposed to reference consideration of departures to development standards in retaining trees as part of redevelopment proposals. This would further incentivise the nomination of trees to the Inventory. It would also promote tree retention through design and could be considered on a case-by-case basis for each proposal. |
Share your thoughts
Please let us know what you think about this draft policy by completing the short survey below.
You can also contact us in any of the following ways:
- By phone 9273 6000
- By email mail@vincent.wa.gov.au (External link)
- In person at the City of Vincent Administration Building, 244 Vincent Street (corner Loftus Street), Leederville (during business hours)
- In writing, by mail to PO Box 82, Leederville, 6902
Hard copy surveys are available on request.
This consultation closes 4pm Friday 14 February 2025
What will happen next?
Following the consultation period, a report will be put to Council to consider the submissions made as well as make any further changes. Council will then determine the proposed draft Policy.
Everyone who provides feedback, and their contact details, will be notified when the policy is due to be considered by Council. Members of the public are welcome to attend the Council Briefing and Council Meeting to ask questions or comment on the proposal.
Information on this page is available in alternative formats on request.
