Tree Management Policy and Guidelines
The street trees of the City of Maribyrnong are a valuable community asset and are the most visible element of the City’s green infrastructure. They help keep our City healthy and have a range of environmental benefits which include reducing summer temperatures, reducing storm water run-off, providing habitat, capturing airborne pollutants and contributing to the wellbeing of the community.
The City’s street trees are a key element in establishing identity and character by emphasising important boulevards and defining neighborhoods. The importance of a resilient street tree network will increase in future years as Maribyrnong experiences rises in both population and urban density.
The Tree Management Policy is centred around increasing canopy cover and shade in our City with a focus on species that will survive the climate of tomorrow.
The Policy does this through creating clear directions on what Council plants, when and how trees can be removed, how we maintain over 50,000 trees, adapting new stock to face future conditions and how we protect our community’s investment in trees.
The Policy recognises the five strategic pillars of Council’s tree management:
- Planting – to increase canopy cover in the public realm.
- Removal – no net loss philosophy and clear parameters under which circumstances removal will be allowed.
- Maintenance – trees are maintained to ensure they are healthy and long-lived.
- Adaptation – trees selected for tomorrows conditions.
- Protection – protect the tree investment.
The Tree Management Guidelines accompanying the policy provide practical information to ensure transparency on how decisions are made. Importantly, it recognises the value of trees and the significant investment Council makes throughout the life of a tree.
The Tree Management Policy and Guidelines apply to all trees on land that Council owns or looks after.