Tree Management Policy and Guidelines

We are planning to increase our canopy cover in the public realm to 20% by 2040.

Only Council staff, Council contractors, or community planting groups with permission to plant trees on Council land, may plant trees.

Prioritised planting locations include those that:

• Shade hard surfaces to reduce Urban Heat Island Effect
• Are on known active transport routes i.e. walking and cycling to school, work, and to public transport
• Are areas of low canopy cover
• Shade street and park infrastructure, such as seats, benches and picnic tables
• Support biodiversity
• Achieve the benchmark of having at least one tree in the nature strip in front of every property

Residents can request trees in on public land and if the location is suitable a tree will be planted in a future planting season.

New plantings in reserves will not be prevented for residential views.

Where a tree has been removed, and the site is suitable for replanting, a replacement tree will be planted in either the current or next planting season.

Tree removals are only allowed in specific circumstances.

To remove a tree, an application must be made in writing to Maribyrnong City Council.

If approved by Council, removal can only occur after the applicant pays all costs, including the removal and the tree canopy contribution value calculated (Amenity value).

Healthy and established trees will not be considered for removal.

Public trees may be removed when:

• Removal is the only option to mitigate a high or extreme risk as determined by a Council arborist
• The tree is dead (with no signs of regeneration) or in decline and unlikely to recover
• The tree is causing damage to infrastructure, property and/or creating significant risk
• The tree is unable to be maintained to meet Electricity Safety (Electric Line Clearance) Regulations 2020 and other relevant statutory requirements
• The removal of trees is required to facilitate projects of high community value, such as an endorsed master plan
• The removal of trees is required as part of an approved planning permit with relevant offsets confirmed at the planning stage
• The tree is affected by development and there is no other design option available

We will not remove trees for:

• aesthetics
• dropping of fruits, seeds, or leaves
• presence of insects, parasites, animals, or pathogens
• personal preference for a different type of tree
• to facilitate development on an adjacent site
• to accommodate a new vehicle crossover where alternative options exist
• to increase local car parking
• to reduce or minimise the obstruction of views, advertising or signage
• to reduce shade on gardens or solar panels

Where a planning permit has been approved, a building permit and asset protection process will determine if a public tree can be removed.

Risk to public safety and property will take priority in tree removal decisions in emergency situations.

In cases where an application to remove a tree has not been granted, and applicants believe they have a legitimate reason to seek a tree removal, they may seek a review of the decision by the Director responsible for the Urban Forest Strategy.

Trees are maintained to be healthy and long-lived, contribute to the Urban Forest population, and to mitigate risk.

Council will:

• Use best practices in line with Australian Standards to promote a healthy tree population
• Maintain trees regularly to improve tree health, provide clearances for paths, roads, buildings, and other essential infrastructure
• Maintain trees in parks and reserves on a 12-month cycle where practical
• Maintain street trees on a 16-month cycle where practical
• Meet the Electricity Safety (Electric Line Clearance) Regulations 2020 and other relevant statutory requirements
• Maintain trees in areas of environmental or heritage significance for safety, environmental values and habitat opportunities

Council will not:

• Prune trees for views, to reduce shade on solar panels or gardens, or to reduce impacts of wildlife waste or noise
• Prune trees for dropping leaves, fruit, bark, or other debris in most cases

Many trees in Maribyrnong are subject to controls within the Planning Scheme. Tree removal or lopping may require a planning permit and or follow native vegetation removal regulations. Trees in areas with Heritage or Significant Tree overlays might also require a planning permit.

Adaptation of the urban forest is important to ensure our trees can meet tomorrow’s conditions.

A diverse range of tree species will be planted across the City to improve resilience and reduce the risk of tree pests and illnesses.

Tree species are chosen to suit the environment they are planted in. This includes things like:

• Shading and cooling hard surfaces
• Infrastructure that may limit what size and type of tree can be planted
• Suitability for climate change

We are prioritising:

• The expected performance of new trees above species origin
• Maximum canopy cover species

Existing tree species that are not expected to adapt to climate change will remain in the landscape and be replaced with a more suitable species at the end of their life. 

New technology will be used in management and maintenance techniques where appropriate.

Trees must be protected during construction.

Builders or developers must:

• Include information to assess potential impacts on trees on or near the site in Development Applications
• Protect trees on Council managed land during the planning, design and construction process
• submit tree impact reports, tree protection and management plans to Council for approval before works start
• Protect trees on or near the works site and pay a tree bond where works may impact trees
• Meet all costs related to tree protection, including any associated loss of amenity value costs

All trees will be protected in accordance with Australian Standard 4970:2025 Protection of Trees on Development Sites.

Trees included in a Significant Tree Register are captured in the Significant Tree Register Policy.