Council approves tree change

THE City of Greater Geelong council has approved its Draft Tree Management Policy to be released for community consultation.

The policy, released by the council after their meeting last week, applies to all council-owned and managed land as well as land protected by the city’s planning scheme. It guides the city on when they plant, prune, or remove trees and outlines the measures to protect and enhance the tree population.

Parks, gardens and city services portfolio chair Cr Anthony Aitken said how the city manages its trees is central to the region’s health.

“Greater Geelong is home to thousands of beautiful trees, including sugar gums, Norfolk Island pines and moonah trees.

“The Draft Tree Management Policy will ensure trees are included in the design of projects, encourages new plantings, gives guidance on tree maintenance and puts in writing that trees will not be pruned to facilitate views. This framework highlights an understanding of the importance of trees in sustainability and how they counter the impacts of climate change.”

The policy is broken up into seven sections: planting, tree planting, tree maintenance, tree protection, tree removal, tree root interactions with public and private infrastructure, and native vegetation and biodiversity.

Cr Aitken urged people to express their views before the consultation period ends on August 16.

“I encourage those in the community who are interested in this policy to give feedback.”

The council planted 3,255 trees in 2019 as it works towards its vision of more than 25 per cent suburban tree coverage. In total, it manages about 110,000 trees across the municipality.

People can have their say on the plan at yoursay.geelongaustralia.com.au.