Golden Plains Shire Council is inviting residents to have their say on the Draft Tree Protection and Management Policy (the Policy), which was endorsed for public exhibition at its February Council meeting.
The policy provides direction for the planting and continued management of trees located on Council managed land (Streets, Roads, Reserves and Public Open Space) and provides a basis to make decisions on the management of trees with a particular vision to balance amenity and risk.
Council adopted its existing Tree Management Policy on 27 August 2019. As part of an internal Council policy review, it was identified that the current Tree Policy was lacking information to support an industry standard tree management framework, including best practice approach.
Council is proposing several changes to the existing policy including tree protection requirements, tree valuation bonds and payments, tree planting, tree inspections, tree pruning, tree removal, risk management, tree roots, significant tree inventory, electrical line clearance and community communication, consultation and complaints.
The Tree Protection and Management Policy will be placed on public exhibition from Wednesday 1 March 2023 until Wednesday 22 March 2023 to allow for community feedback. Submissions will be considered by Council at its next scheduled Council meeting.
A copy of the Policy is available online at goldenplains.vic.gov.au/consultations or at Council’s Customer Hubs at 2 Pope Street, Bannockburn and 19 Heales Street, Smythesdale.
Feedback is invited in writing and needs to be received by 9am, Wednesday 22 March 2023:
- online at goldenplains.vic.gov.au/consultations
- by email to [email protected] or
- mailed to Golden Plains Shire Council, PO Box 111, Bannockburn, VIC 3331.
Golden Plains Shire Mayor Cr Brett Cunningham encourages community members to have their say on the Draft Tree Protection and Management Policy to guide the direction of planting and management of trees in Golden Plains.
The proposed changes to the existing Tree Policy reflect Australian and industry standards and will help to inform the development of a successful and reliable tree management framework.
Your valuable community feedback will ensure we identify and implement best practice tree management procedures to maintain and enhance the quality of trees in Golden Plains.
Following the public exhibition process, Council will consider any changes before adopting the new Tree Protection and Management Policy at its March meeting.