July 28 - August 3, 2024: Issue 632
Pittwater Greens Councillor calls for review of tree management policy
Pittwater Greens Councillor Miranda Korzy is calling on Northern Beaches Council to review its tree management to avoid a repeat of the Ruskin Rowe blockade.
Ms Korzy said she has proposed a motion for the July 30 council meeting for a review of tree assessment, pruning and removal processes.
The motion also calls for examination of the funding needed to ensure trees can remain in place to the end of their useful life, she said.
For this to occur, council will need to implement its Tree Canopy Plan - as amended to protect existing canopy - which was passed at the September 2023 council meeting.
It must also develop a single tree management policy based on it, she said.
“The Ruskin Rowe blockade has highlighted weaknesses in council’s tree management and this motion is designed to ensure residents never have to take to the streets to protect our canopy again,” Ms Korzy said.
“I hear complaints from the community every week, if not several times a week, about tree removal, and residents’ support for the tree vigil has shown how much they value Pittwater’s tree canopy.
“Local arborists and ecologists are telling me the council has got it wrong on the Ruskin Rowe decision, so both in terms of process and outcome, I believe we must look at what’s led to the situation.
“I’m grateful that council staff are now reviewing the decision, although it has not been rescinded and contractors are currently booked to return to Ruskin Rowe. However, that’s not likely before late August.
“Pittwater residents love our trees for their natural beauty but they are also important assets, environmentally, socially and economically.”
Ms Korzy said the tree canopy saves residents and council money by preventing soil erosion and the consequent stormwater runoff - as well as providing habitat for wildlife.
Urban canopy can also reduce temperatures of the surrounding area by up to 10 degrees Celsius, protecting roads from extreme heat, meaning they deteriorate more slowly and are less costly to maintain.
Trees also absorb carbon dioxide and regulate soil moisture, reducing the presence of various greenhouse gases in the atmosphere.
Finally, trees improve mental health in the community.
The Notice of Motion reads:
That Council:
1. Undertake an internal review of its tree assessment, pruning and removal processes including:
a. Frequency of inspections of individual mature trees on public land.
b. The number of arborists on the relevant Council panel and the criteria used to assess and appoint them.
c. Standard instructions provided to arborists when undertaking tree assessments.
d. Consultation with the public regarding potential tree removals.
e. Actions taken to inform the public following identification of a high risk tree and mitigate risk.
f. Protocols for the review of tree removal and pruning decisions including the triggers for when these reviews are undertaken.
2. As part of that review, identify the funding required to:
a. Inspect and assess mature trees to safely retain them in situ for their useful life expectancy.
b. Prune, stag or completely remove unsafe mature trees across the LGA on an annual basis.
c. Maintain existing trees including ongoing watering of tubestock/saplings, fertilising, weeding around them, and mulching as foreshadowed in the Tree Canopy Plan.
3. Create a Tree Management Policy for Northern Beaches Council, consistent with the Tree Canopy Plan as resolved by Council in September 2023.
4. Within six months report to council on the outcome of the reviews in points 1. and 2. as well as the new draft Tree Management Policy.
From CEO in response to motion:
In accordance with Council’s Code of Meeting Practice Clause 4.15(a) I offer the following report on this matter to assist Council in the deliberation of this motion: A high-level review of the listed items could be undertaken within existing resources, noting that a revised tree policy is already in development. A more detailed review of each of these elements would be most appropriately dealt with using Council’s service review framework. Should this approach be preferred, one of the planned service reviews would need to be deferred (such as the Traffic and Transport review).
