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CONTENT
1
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Introduction
5
1.1 Purpose
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1.2 The Benefits of Street Trees to the Community
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2 Council’s Commitment to Street Tree Management
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2.1 Street Tree Risk Management
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2.2 Street Tree Planting
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2.2.1 Introduction
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2.2.2 Tree Selection
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2.2.3 Procurement, Planting and Establishment Maintenance
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2.2.4 Planting Programs
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2.3 Street Tree Pruning
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2.4 Street Tree Removal
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2.5 Street Tree Root Management
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2.6 Street Tree Protection
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2.7 Street Tree Health Care and Nuisance Pest Control
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3 Brimbank’s Community and Street Trees
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3.1 Introduction
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3.2 Street Tree Planting and Consultation with the Community
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3.3 Community Education and Street Trees
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3.4 Requests for Street Tree Maintenance and Planting
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3.5 Local and State Laws relating to Street Trees
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3.6 Protection of Street Trees from Vandalism, Accidents and Loss due to
Adjacent Land Development
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3.6.1 Definitions
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3.6.2 Protection of Street Trees from Adjacent Development
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3.6.3 Unauthorised Damage or Removal of Street Trees
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3.7
Claims for Damages Caused by Street Trees
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4
References
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APPENDICES
A Assigning a Monetary Value to a Street Tree
25
B
Activities restricted within the Crown Periphery of a Street Tree
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1. INTRODUCTION
1.1. Purpose
Developing and maintaining tree lined streets, in the City’s
neighbourhoods, within its Town Centres and along its main thoroughfares
is an important part of improving the character and image of Brimbank and
making it a more attractive and enjoyable place to live. This document sets
out Council’s approach to the management of street trees as part of a
commitment to creating and maintaining an attractive and safe urban
environment.
This Policy has been prepared to assist residents, property owners,
contractors, land developers, Council officers, service authorities and
interested persons in understanding and appreciating the processes and
actions required to appropriately manage street trees within the City, as
determined by the community and Council.
The goal of street tree management is based on an understanding of the
dynamic nature of the resource, its aesthetic and safety requirements,
public attitude and perception, and Council’s commitment to engaging and
working with the community.
In order to sustain the landscape and meet public demand, trees need to be
planted and established, maintained and removed. Planning and
consultation is required in
order
to facilitate each of these processes.
This policy document provides an overview for the management of street
trees located on Council managed road reserves and includes guidelines
and actions for:
• Risk Management
• Planting including selection, procurement, planting and establishment
maintenance
• Pruning
• Removal
• Root Management
• Protection
• Plant Health Care and Nuisance Pest Control
• Consultation and Inclusion
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1.2. The Benefits of Street Trees to the Community
The value of street trees to the community and the urban environment is
often overlooked but are significant and quantifiable contributors to the
four principle tenets of the Brimbank Community Plan 2009 - 2030:
Community Wellbeing
~ Street trees provide a sense of ‘place’ and soften
the often harsh urban environment making it a more serene and
welcoming place in which to live and work. Because of their potential for
long life, street trees frequently remind us of our history and define a
neighborhood’s character. Street trees have a significant influence on
physical and mental health by providing natural restorative spaces in the
urban context.
Urban Design & Infrastructure
~ Street trees can make an important
contribution to neighbourhood character and the image of a City.
Melbourne’s well known boulevards are memorable largely because their
street trees. Street trees provide several architectural and engineering
functions. They provide privacy, emphasise views, or screen out
objectionable views. They reduce glare and reflection. They direct
pedestrian traffic and can calm traffic. They provide background to and
soften, complement, or enhance architecture. The shade provided by
street trees can also reduce pavement fatigue improving public safety and
reducing management costs.
Sustainable Environments
~ Street trees alter the environment in which
we live by moderating climate, improving air quality, conserving water,
and harboring wildlife. They can act as windbreaks and deflect rain fall
along foot paths. Trees intercept water, store some of it, and reduce storm
water runoff. Temperature in the vicinity of trees is cooler than that away
from trees. Trees can improve air quality as leaves filter the air we breathe
by removing dust, carbon dioxide and other particulates—and give off
oxygen. Birds and other wildlife are also attracted to trees.
In addition, street trees support urban sustainability by providing
economic benefits both direct and indirect. Direct economic benefits are
associated with reduced energy costs. Cooling costs are lower in a tree
shaded streets. Heating costs are reduced when street trees provide a
windbreak. Large, appropriate street tree plantings increase local
property values. The indirect economic benefits of trees can be greater
and community wide. Lower electricity bills are paid by communities
when power companies are able to use less water in their cooling towers,
build fewer new facilities to meet peak demands and use fewer measures
to control air pollution. Communities also can save money if fewer
facilities must be built to control storm water.
The use of indigenous tree species in road reserves adjacent to and
linking reserves rich in local flora and fauna can assist in the maintenance
and enhancement of local biodiversity.
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Council and the Community Working Together
~ Council’s Street Tree
Infill Program (STIP) informs and involves the community in the process
for determining tree species to be planted in residential streets. Council
intends to review all planting programs to include improved consultation
processes and will look for ways to actively involve residents in planting
works. In addition, Council is proposing to develop an education
program around street trees.
A
CTIONS
• As of January 2010, Brimbank has approximately 89,000 registered street trees
which represents approximately 60% of available planting locations within
the City’s streets. The City aspires to achieving 95% street tree stocking by
2030 through tree planting and appropriate management, creating an urban
forest oasis in the western suburbs where residents and visitors will want to
live and work.
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2. COUNCIL’S COMMITMENT TO STREET TREE
MANAGEMENT
The following statements have been adopted to maintain and improve the
current integrity of the urban forest and to ensure the future development and
safety of the City’s street tree assets to the benefit of our community.
2.1. Street Tree Risk Management
Council recognises its duties and responsibilities in the management of risk
associated with its street tree assets and this will be conducted in
accordance with Council’s Risk Management Policy and Strategies as
developed from AS4360/2004 ‘Risk Management’.
Public safety will be maintained through the use of generally accepted
professional practices of tree assessment and treatment in order to reduce
risk associated with hazardous trees to an acceptable level.
A
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• Utilise a program of systematic tree assessment and ‘best practice’ tree
management to mitigate tree risk for residents and visitors to the City
• Maintain accurate and current documentation on the management of
Council’s tree assets
• Maintain high standards of tree management to current ‘best practice’ and
recognised standards
• Provide adequate resources to ensure proper tree management to mitigate
risk potential
2.2. Street Tree Planting
2.2.1. Introduction
The right tree for the right place with due consideration to
biological and functional, aesthetic and design requirement criteria
is of paramount importance. The most successful course is to match
the planting site limitations with the right tree for that site.
There is no one perfect urban tree. It is also important to
understand that there is no one urban environment. The urban
environment is a varied conglomeration of microclimates. Above
ground or below ground site conditions can change dramatically
within the space of a few metres. Consequently, a site analysis of
each major planting site will allow more appropriate tree selections.
Appropriate site assessment and tree selection can have the
following benefits.
• Mitigate conflicts between tree roots and adjacent infrastructure.
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• Reduce the incidence of pest and disease outbreaks. This can be
achieved through selecting resistant varieties of trees and
increasing species diversity through the City.
• Increase plant performance by attributing species to particular
soil conditions.
• Increased tree longevity so that tree benefits exceed the costs. The
benefit of an urban tree is directly proportional to its crown size or
volume and longevity in the landscape.
• Reduced maintenance costs, e.g. pruning requirements can be
reduced by selecting smaller trees under power lines or narrow
canopy form for busy roads.
• Produce attractive streetscapes that reinforce the pervading
landscape and architectural character.
• Reduced environmental demand - trees that have tolerance of
drought and generally not require additional resource inputs.
Tree selection will take into account relative plant tolerances and
adaptability, and integration into surrounding planting themes.
Procedural solutions such as community consultation and the
detailed review of horticultural, arboricultural, planning and
historical literature associated with the proposed planting site will
be considered.
2.2.2. Tree Selection
Species will be selected that do not require excessive resource input
to maintain them in a safe and aesthetically pleasing manner. Tree
species known to cause excessive damage to infrastructure will be
avoided. Tree species that are known for their structural integrity
and limited litter drop will be preferred.
Australian species from other localities and exotic species can make
positive contributions to the landscape. In some cases, these species
are better adapted to the conditions of the highly modified urban
environment and have positive attributes that fulfill specific
landscape functions.
Remnant and indigenous vegetation has an important role to play
in urban landscapes. The maturity of existing remnant vegetation is
impossible to replace and the diversity of natural plant
communities is difficult to replicate. Preservation of existing
remnant vegetation is the most efficient way to incorporate
biodiversity in urban landscapes.
The use of indigenous tree species in streets will have greater
impact and benefit when used adjacent to or to link open space that
has significant remnant vegetation.
Tree selection will be based on the following criteria:
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Biological Requirements
~ the trees’ ability to tolerate urban
conditions. The species selected should have high tolerance levels
that will allow establishment and sustained growth while
producing desired benefits with low management inputs. It also
relates to available root space to sustain the potential tree size.
Ecological Issues
~ includes tree diversity, maintaining and
enhancing existing significant areas of native and remnant
indigenous vegetation, and selecting plants that do not have the
potential to become woody weeds and impact on natural systems.
Functional and Spatial Issues
~ includes crown and foliage type
within the constraints of the urban environment and the trees
tolerance to pruning. It also relates to the tree’s root system and
its limited impact on adjacent infrastructure.
Aesthetic Issues
~ the ability for trees to enhance the visual
amenity of a streetscape or area, without negative impact to
surrounding infrastructure and the fit with neighbourhood
character, including existing street trees, is also a consideration.
Health Considerations
~ species selection will utilise trees that
have no known or low levels of toxic or allergenic characteristics.
Tree Longevity
~ the longer a tree is allowed to grow in a site the
greater the benefits to the landscape and return on initial
investment the trees will have.
Commercial Availability
~ to successfully provide the desired
numbers and size for tree planting programs.
2.2.3. Procurement, Planting and Establishment Maintenance
The procurement of trees for street tree planting will be undertaken
in accordance with Brimbank City Council’s Planting Supply
Specifications. The height of planting stock is dependent upon
availability but is generally between 1.0 metres and 2.8 metres tall.
Street tree planting will be undertaken in accordance with
Brimbank City Council’s Planting Street Trees Specifications which
is based on current ‘best practice’.
Establishment maintenance for street tree planting will be
undertaken in accordance with Brimbank City Council’s
Maintenance of Street Trees Specifications. A program of tree
establishment and aftercare maintenance that includes watering,
mulching, weed control and formative pruning will extend for a
minimum two years after planting. The period of aftercare
maintenance may be extended, depending upon seasonal
conditions and tree establishment. During periods of water
restrictions, recycled A class water with Total Dissolved Solids
(TDS) rates less than 850ppm may be used upon street trees for all
or part of the duration of the two-year tree establishment period.
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The aforementioned specifications shall apply to both internal and
contracted Council works.
2.2.4. Planting Programs
Brimbank City Council will maintain four major street tree planting
programs including:
Street Tree Infill Program
~ improving the appearance of local
neighborhoods through the planting of trees in vacant sites in
local streets. Program includes an extensive community
consultation process. Program plants between 1,500 - 1,750 new
trees per planting season.
Replacement Tree Program
~ planting of trees removed prior to
the planting season and in response to resident requests for street
tree planting. Program plants approximately 600 - 700 trees per
planting season.
Main Roads Planting Program
~ planting of trees along main
roads, boulevards and gateways. Program plants approximately
600 - 700 trees per planting season.
Road Rehabilitation Program
~ planting program that
complements the City’s road reconstruction program. Program
plants approximately 300 - 400 trees per planting season.
Street tree planting opportunities may also be generated through
either Council Officers and approved Parks Services Department
contractors as part of on-going maintenance works and inspections.
A
CTIONS
• Select tree species for planting based on their suitability for the site,
performance, and potential to contribute to landscape character meeting
functional, aesthetic and ecological requirements.
• Set and maintain high tree procurement, planting and establishment
maintenance standards in line with current ‘best practice’.
• Street tree planting will endeavour where practicable to maintain the
homogenous nature of an avenue planting. However, two species may be
selected for streets where site conditions may vary on either side of the road.
• New estate developments that include street tree plantings will be subject to
the same requirements of this Policy and associated documentation.
• Where appropriate space exists, larger growing species will be preferred over
smaller trees.
• Undertake appropriate selection, placement and planting of trees to reduce
long-term risk.
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2.3. Street Tree Pruning
All pruning works will be undertaken in accordance with Australian
Standard AS4373-2007 ‘Pruning of amenity trees’ for the purpose of crown
maintenance and/or modification.
Clearance of street trees from overhead power lines will be conducted in
accordance with Brimbank City Council’s Electrical Line Clearance
Management Plan 2009-2010 (and annual revisions of this document),
associated Acts and regulations and subsequent revisions.
Clearance of street trees from street lighting, traffic signals, advisory signs,
road and foot pavements located within road reserves managed by Council
will be undertaken in accordance with the Council’s Road Asset
Management Plan 2009 (and subsequent revisions).
Requests for the pruning of street trees from over private property lines
will be individually assessed by Council. The decision on the action to be
taken will be based on the level of nuisance created by the street tree and
consultation with the property owner.
Notwithstanding the requirements for the clearance of street trees from
power lines or along roadways; Council will not undertake pruning works
for the purpose of limiting the height or width of a street tree’s current or
future crown dimensions.
A
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• Council will maintain its programmed maintenance works for the clearance
of street trees from power lines, street lighting, traffic signals, advisory signs,
road and foot pavements.
• Pruning requests will be assessed in accordance with Section 3.4 ‘Requests
for Street Tree Maintenance and Planting’ of this policy statement.
• Pruning works will be prioritised according to the level of urgency and
available resources.
• In areas where the structural limbs (limbs with a diameter of 150 millimeters
or more) of a street tree do not meet the minimum requirements of Council’s
Road Asset Management Plan over road pavements; engineering solutions
including but not limited to signage or line marking shall be considered
before pruning or removal.
• In areas where pruning to meet the requirements of the Electrical Safety
(Electric Line Clearance) Regulations 2005 is likely to have a detrimental
effect upon the structure, health or aesthetic appearance of street trees,
Council may seek alternative solutions where practicable.
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2.4. Street Tree Removal
Brimbank City Council will seek to avoid street tree removal wherever
possible. However, street tree removal is an acceptable management option
when required for human health and safety, to protect infrastructure, to
facilitate approved development and infrastructure improvements, to
maintain a healthy urban forest or for ecological restoration.
Street trees and groups of street trees may be removed only when one or
more of the following criteria are met:
• The tree or tree group poses a severe safety hazard that cannot be
corrected by pruning, transplanting or other treatments.
• The tree or tree group severely interferes with a neighbouring tree or tree
group to the extent that neither tree can develop to its full potential. The
more desirable tree will be preserved.
• The aesthetic values of the tree or tree group are so low or negative that
the site is visually enhanced by the trees removal.
• Tree or tree group is dead or close to death.
• The tree or tree group poses an extreme and agreed public nuisance.
• Where improvements, infrastructure repair or maintenance required to be
made around the tree or tree group will kill or render the tree a hazard or
significantly impact on the trees’ condition and useful life expectancy.
• The tree is found to be substantially contributing to damages to public or
private property and no other viable means are available to rectify the
situation.
• The tree or tree group is infected with an epidemic insect or disease
where the recommended control is not applicable and removal is the
recommended practice to prevent transmission.
Council will not consider street tree removal for trees that do not meet the
above criteria but will provide advice to affected persons on how the
perceived problem(s) may be limited.
A
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• Council will identify, assess and take appropriate action for street trees that
meet the removal criteria. This will be undertaken as part of its programmed
maintenance works.
• Removal requests will be assessed in accordance with Section 3.4 ‘Requests
for Street Tree Maintenance and Planting’ of this policy statement.
• Removal works will be prioritised according to the level of urgency and
available resources.
• In most instances and where practicable, street trees that are removed shall
be replaced in the following planting season with the same or more suitable
species.
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2.5. Street Tree Root Management
Root management works, including root pruning, root deflector and soil
moisture cut-off barriers, are occasionally required to be performed on
street trees. This work is required for risk management, to maintain public
safety and contain tree root growth where necessary to prevent damage to
property, roads, kerb and channel and footpaths.
Root pruning is the practice of removing a portion of a tree’s root system.
The circumstances necessitating root pruning vary, but the outcome is to
always to ensure the health, stability, and longevity of the street tree. Root
pruning of street trees will not be permitted without the approval of
Council’s Tree Coordinator or delegated representative.
A
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• Council will adopt appropriate action in the management of street tree roots
that are causing damage to roads, kerb and channel, footpaths and associated
infrastructure within the road reserve. The action will include but not be
limited to the use of root deflectors, road, kerb and channel and/or footpath
replacement and reinforcement, root pruning or tree removal.
2.6. Street Tree Protection
All works or actions undertaken by Council within or adjacent to the crown
periphery and/or root zone of a Street Tree that may have a detrimental
effect upon tree structure, health or aesthetic appearance shall be assessed
by Council’s Tree Coordinator or delegated representative and if required, a
management plan developed in consultation with the relevant Council
Department.
A
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• Council will develop a Working Near Trees Management Plan that takes into
consideration the requirements of AS4970-2009 ‘Protection of trees on
development sites’.
2.7. Street Tree Health Care and Nuisance Pest Control
Declining plant health, pest and disease infection are generally a
manifestation of stress that is directly attributable to static site or short
duration inciting factors. Factors include but are not limited to climate, soil
type or site conditions, the genetic potential of the tree, frost, drought,
flooding, air pollutants, or mechanical injury. Maintaining plant vigour is
the best form of prevention against declining health and the effects of pest
and disease.
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Declining health in stands of large maturing or significant individual street
trees will be managed through the application of appropriate cultural
practices as determined by Council’s Tree Coordinator or delegated
representative with reference to current ‘best practice’ and consultation
with the community.
The control of pests and/or diseases will take into account static and/or
inciting factors and address those issues as part of an integrated approach
to the control of the problem.
Pesticide application and disease control measures will be undertaken in
accordance with the Code of Conduct for Pest Management Technicians as
published by the Department of Human Services.
A
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• Council will trial various cultural practices to improve poor health in stands
of large maturing or significant individual street trees in consultation with
affected residents. Cultural practices that prove to be effective shall be
adopted and implemented as required.
• Council will identify and take appropriate action for the control of pests and
diseases in street trees where damage exceeds 15% of the total crown volume.
• Council will cooperate and take appropriate action as directed by relevant
statutory authorities should introduced pests and/or diseases that threaten
Australian horticulture be identified within the street tree population.
• Council will control nuisance pests such bees, wasps and termites that
sometimes inhabit street trees.
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3. BRIMBANK’S COMMUNITY AND STREET TREES
3.1. Introduction
Brimbank City Council is committed to fairness in the provision of services
and genuine participation by the community in decision making identified
in this Policy and as detailed in the Social Justice Charter 2008.
The City is committed to providing our community with responsive and
consistent customer service to the highest standard. These standards, along
with various feedback options will help Council maintain strong and
valued relationships with all its stakeholders as detailed in the Customer
Service Charter 2006.
Brimbank City Council acknowledges and commends members of the
community who take an active role in removing debris on private and
public land that is generated by street trees.
3.2. Street Tree Planting and Consultation with the
Community
Brimbank City Council’s largest street tree planting program, the Street
Tree Infill Program (STIP) involves extensive consultation with affected
residents prior to street trees being planted. The consultation and
information process comprises the following elements and will be
conducted in accordance with relevant specifications:
• Distribution of a letter advising affected residents of the STIP, and
providing residents with a choice of one out of three trees offered. Each
letter shall have a return to sender envelope to enable residents to
respond to the choice of tree.
• If there is an existing appropriate dominant species in the street, residents
will not be offered a choice of trees species as the dominant species will
be used for infill planting. Dominant species are defined as a species that
exists in front of at least 50% of allotments in any given street. Affected
residents will be advised in writing if this is to occur.
• Council’s website will provide a link that provides overhead aerial
mapping which shows STIP areas for each planting year. An online forum
will be included enabling the public to pose questions and forward
comments on proposed/existing plantings.
• Residents will be advised of the tree species to be planted based on the
species that receives the most votes and when planting is proposed.
• Residents may seek their own planting choice outside those that are
offered within the consultation period if the following conditions are met:
• A 70% majority threshold of residents in the street must agree on the
alternative species.
• The submission must be lodged with Council within the consultation
period.
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• Council and its contractor must agree with residents on the species
proposed. The species must be suitable and appropriate for the
proposed sites as detailed in Section 2.2 ‘Street Tree Planting’.
Council currently promotes active participation by residents in the
establishment of newly planted street trees through the ‘Adopt a Tree’
program which encourages residents to support Council managed
establishment maintenance programs by providing a bucket for ‘top up’
watering of newly planted street trees during periods of hot weather and a
brochure that details other forms of assistance that will ensure the
establishment and longevity of the planting.
Council seeks to develop uniform streetscapes that compliment landscape
character and meet design and maintenance requirements. Without Council
approval, residents are requested not to plant trees and shrubs within the
naturestrip or other sites within the road reserve and to use the
aforementioned process should they want street trees in their local area.
A
CTIONS
• Council will review all other street tree planting programs with a view to
improving the process of consultation and inclusion.
• Council will investigate ways of actively involving residents in street tree
planting works.
3.3. Community Education and Street Trees
Brimbank City Council is committed to providing a high quality service
that meets the needs of the community’s street trees. Council will
communicate to the community on how this service is delivered, the value
that street trees bring to the community, how residents may be able to
contribute meaningfully to the process of management, provide residents
with a forum for feedback to Council and general tree related information.
A
CTIONS
• Council will develop a Community Education Program that specifically
targets street tree issues.
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3.4. Requests for Street Tree Maintenance and Planting
Persons may request a street tree planting, pruning, removal, root
management, plant health care and nuisance pest control by contacting
Brimbank City Council’s Customer Service representatives. All requests for
street tree works shall be recorded, forwarded to Council’s Parks Services
Department, inspected and assessed by the Tree Coordinator or delegated
representative.
The person (if any) making the request for maintenance will be advised of
the action to be taken and the approximate timelines in which the works
will be completed.
Persons making a request for street tree planting will be advised whether
the request can be accommodated. If the site is suitable, the person making
the request will be advised of the species to be planted and the
approximate timelines in which the works will be completed. Street tree
planting will occur in the planting season following the request. Planting
seasons are usually conducted between April - August. Council will
endeavour to meet requests for planting made during the planting season
although planting will be subject to timing of the request, stock and
resource availability.
Persons wishing to appeal the decision on the action to be taken may do so
in writing addressed to the Council’s Chief Executive Officer.
3.5. Local and State Laws relating to Street Trees
Persons who interfere with, damage or destroy a street tree may be subject
to action and penalties as detailed in Brimbank City Council’s General
Local Law 2008, Clause 28 ‘Damage to Assets’, 28.1 which states:
“A person must not graffiti, deface, disfigure, remove or affix any document to or
otherwise interfere with, damage or destroy Council property or Council assets
including any drain, fire prevention appliance, drainage pit or lid, gate, fence,
notice board, sign, pole, stonework,
tree, tree guard
, line marking or automatic
traffic counting equipment, seat or structure of any kind on Council property or in
a public place.”
In addition, persons who interfere with, damage or destroy a street tree
may be subject to costs associated with the street trees removal and
replacement including compound interest as detailed in Section 3.6 of this
document.
The parking of vehicles on the nature strip adjacent to street trees can have
a detrimental effect upon plant health by compacting soils thus limiting
root growth and through inadvertent impact with the street tree’s trunk or
crown resulting in injury.
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Persons who park on nature strips may be subject to penalties issued by
Brimbank City Council under the Road Safety (General) Regulations 1999,
Schedule 3 ‘Parking Infringements’, Clause 4(a)(xiii).
3.6. Protection of Street Trees from Vandalism, Accidents and
Loss due to Adjacent Land Development
Brimbank City Council’s community value the street tree assets and wish to
protect them against actions by persons outside Council’s control that may
threaten their well being. The following conditions have been developed to
better protect street trees from the effects of adjacent land development, to
discourage persons who may wish to take unauthorised action in regard to
a street tree and to penalise those persons who do.
3.6.1. Definitions
The following definitions have been provided to more clearly define
when components of this Policy section are to be applied.
(1) Valued Street Trees
Valued street trees can be either living or dead and shall be defined
by the contribution the tree makes to the area’s character and the
impact the removal shall have on local amenity. A valued tree or
group of trees shall specifically include:
• specimen tree(s) (trunk diameter equal to or greater than 100
millimetres and equal to or greater than three [3] metres tall);
• tree(s) that are representative of more than 30% of trees in any
street (may comprise both Valued and Marginal Value Street
Trees);
• habitat tree(s) - living or dead;
• remnant indigenous vegetation;
• tree(s) identified in Brimbank City Council’s Significant Tree
Management Plan;
• tree(s) identified as having heritage or cultural significance; or
• rare or endangered tree species or specimen.
Valued Street Tree(s) does not imply that a Street Tree Valuation has
been assigned to the tree.
(2) Marginal Value Street Trees
Those trees that are not contributing significantly to the amenity of
the streetscape due to one of the following:
• the tree is less than three (3) metres in height with a trunk calliper
of less than 100 millimeters;
• the tree is 50% or more dead and is not a habitat tree of value;
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• the tree has structural faults that cannot be mitigated through
appropriate arboricultural management practices; or
• the tree is a weed species as defined in the Weed Guide for
Brimbank 2008 and subsequent revisions.
(3) Street Tree Valuation
Trees are essential components of our environment and have an
intrinsic amenity value. It is the intrinsic amenity value that
sometimes needs to be translated into a universally meaningful
monetary value.
The most common use of the monetary valuation of trees is
compensation for loss or damage. Valuation may also be considered
when establishing tree preservation bonds on Valued Street Trees
adjacent to residential or commercial development sites.
Please refer
to Appendix A “Assigning a Monetary Value to a Valued Street Tree” of
this Policy for further detail.
3.6.2. Protection of Street Trees from Adjacent Development
The protection of street trees from the adverse effects of adjacent
land development will be undertaken in accordance with
Australian Standard AS4970-2009 ‘Protection of trees on
development sites’.
All works or actions undertaken within or adjacent to the crown
periphery and/or root zone of a Street Tree that may have a
detrimental effect upon tree structure, health or aesthetic
appearance shall be assessed in accordance with Australian
Standard by the persons or parties and a management plan
submitted and approved by Council prior to the works or actions
being undertaken.
Valued Street Tree
~ Persons wishing to undertake works or
actions within or adjacent to the crown periphery and/or root zone
of a Valued Street Tree will be required to submit an application that
includes as a minimum a tree assessment and management plan
prepared by a suitable qualified arboriculturalist for approval by
Council. All costs associated with the assessment and delivery of
the management plan are to be borne by the person(s) making that
application. Where tree removal is requested for the purpose of
adjacent land development or other activity where the requirements
of the Protection of Street Trees from Adjacent Development cannot
be appropriately applied, a Street Tree Valuation will be applied
and all costs detailed shall be borne by those persons making the
application.
Marginal Value Street Tree
~ Marginal Value Street Trees may not
be subject to the Protection of Street Trees from adjacent
development requirements. However; if the Marginal Value Street
Tree is to be retained as part of any works or actions in close
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proximity, then activities within the crown periphery shall exclude
those activities identified in Clause 4.2 of AS4970-2009 ‘Protection of
trees on development sites’.
Please refer to Appendix 2 for details.
Where tree removal is requested for the purpose of adjacent land
development or other activity where the requirements of Protection
of Street Trees from Adjacent Development cannot be appropriately
applied, the removal of the tree(s) will attract a one-off charge of
$400.00 per tree (subject to future market cost variations) being the
costs for replacement and establishment maintenance.
3.6.3. Unauthorised Damage or Removal of Street Trees
Street Tree Valuations will be applied to Valued Street Trees that
have been damaged or removed by unauthorised persons. In
addition, persons that have taken unauthorised action in relation to
a street tree may also be subject to action and penalties as detailed
in Brimbank City Council’s General Local Law.
Marginal Value Street Trees will not be subject to Street Tree
Valuation but will attract a one-off charge of $400.00 per tree
(subject to future market cost variations) being the costs for
replacement and establishment maintenance should the street tree
be damaged or removed by unauthorised persons.
3.7. Claims for Damages Caused by Street Trees
In order to reasonably assess whether Council managed street trees are
contributing to structural damage to privately owned property, the
property owner is required to provide a plan of all existing on-site and
surrounding vegetation within the past 10 years (preferable), investigation
of soil at the base of the buildings to determine the presence, size, depth,
and amount of roots present, identification to genus level of any roots
found as a result of the root investigation and structural engineers and
geotechnical investigation to support the claim.
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4. REFERENCES
This policy document has been developed in line with the following Brimbank
City Council policies and strategies:
• Brimbank Community Plan 2009 - 2030.
• Brimbank Council Plan 2009 – 2013.
• Environment Plan 2004 - 2007, associated documents and subsequent revisions.
• Landscape Policy 2002, associated documents and subsequent revisions.
• Urban Design Strategy 1997, associated documents and subsequent revisions.
• Tree Management Plan 2008, associated regulations, documents and
subsequent revisions.
• Guidelines for Protecting, Enhancing and Managing significant natural assets
1997, associated documents and subsequent revisions.
• Code of Practice for the Protection of Council Assets 2007, associated
documents and subsequent revisions.
• Road Asset Management Plan 2009, associated regulations, documents and
subsequent revisions.
• Electric Line Clearance Management Plan 2009/2010, associated Acts,
regulations, documents and subsequent revisions.
• General Local Law 2008, associated documents and subsequent revisions.
• Risk Management Policy 2000, associated strategies, documents and
subsequent revisions.
• Social Justice Charter 2008, associated documents and subsequent revisions.
• Customer Service Charter 2006, associated documents and subsequent
revisions.
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The following list of publications have been used to identify current ‘best
practice’ in arboriculture. Other and yet to be published peer reviewed
publications and standards not listed may be used to determine future ‘best
practice’.
• Australian Standard AS4373 - 2007, ‘Pruning of amenity trees’.
• Australian Standard AS4970 - 2009, ‘Protection of trees on development sites’.
• Harris, R. W., Clark, J. R. and Matheny, N. P., (2004), Arboriculture - Integrated
Management of Landscape Trees, Shrubs and Vines (fourth edition), Prentice
Hall.
• Miller, R. W., (2007), Urban Forestry - Planning and Managing Urban
Greenspaces (second edition), Waveland Press.
• Hitchmough, J.D., (1994), Urban Landscape Management, Inkata Press.
• Watson, G. W. and Himelick, E. B., (1997), Principles and Practice of Planting
Trees and Shrubs, International Society of Arboriculture.
• Handreck, K. and Black, N., (2005), Growing Media for Ornamental Plants and
Turf (third edition), UNSW Press.
• Roberts, J., Jackson, N. and Smith, M., (2006), Department for Communities and
Local Government - Tree Roots in the Built Environment, TSO.
• Mattheck, C. and Breloer, H., (1997), Department of the Environment - The
Body Language of Trees, The Stationery Office.
• Sinclair, W. A., Lyon, H. H. and Johnson, W. T., (1996), Diseases of Trees and
Shrubs (forth edition), Cornell University Press.
• Johnson, W. T. and Lyon, H. H., (1991), Insects that Feed on Trees and Shrubs
(second edition), Cornell University Press.
• Journal of Arboriculture as published by the International Society of
Arboriculture.
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APPENDIX A
ASSIGNING A MONETARY VALUE TO A STREET TREE
Trees are essential components of our environment and have an intrinsic amenity value. It is
the intrinsic amenity value that often needs to be translated into a universally meaningful
monetary value.
The converted amenity value of trees to a monetary value is used for many reasons. The
most common use of the monetary valuation of trees is compensation. Values may also be
considered when establishing tree preservation bonds on residential or commercial
development sites.
Many tree valuation techniques exist and are used in Australia but none has gained national
support. The establishment of an appropriate Australian tree valuation standard has been
debated over the last 22 years and continues to be debated. Standards Australia released its
third Draft Australian Standard in 1999 (Draft Australian/New Zealand Standard (DR 99307,
1973 – 1999 Amenity Trees - Guide to valuation, Standards Australia). Based on the repeated
and ongoing revision of valuation methods, it is reasonably obvious that a universally
accepted technique is still being sought in this country.
A number of other tree valuation methods exist in Australia and are used by various
organisations. The methods include the Revised Burnley Method (1991), Australian Institute
of Horticulture Method (1977) Revised (1996), Council of Tree and Landscape Appraisers
(CTLA) Guide for Plant Appraisal (2000) 9th edition, USA, Thyer Tree Valuation Method
(1984 – Peter Thyer), Helliwell System, United Kingdom (1990), and City of Melbourne –
Amenity Value Formula Calculating A Tree's Amenity Value (2001).
All the methods listed above have advantages and disadvantages and all vary in the value
amount achieved on any particular tree. The Thyer Tree Valuation method has been
identified in a thesis prepared by Mark Garner (Forestry Honours Student at Australian
National University) as the system that produced the most consistent and comprehensive
results out of a range of methods tested (Garner n.d.).
It is necessary to accept each valuation method based on its merits while appreciating the
limitations that might exist. Ultimately, these are the tools that are currently available for
tree valuation until another system presents itself.
Trees provide many benefits to the environment and community. Apart from the obvious
aesthetic qualities, trees produce oxygen, ameliorate climate, capture storm water runoff, aid
in carbon sequestration, improve air quality, aid energy conservation, add to the ecology of
an area, add to property values and provide a range of psychological and social benefits.
Often the difficulty in assigning a monetary value to a tree is quantifying the value of these
benefits in an objective and repeatable fashion, particularly when the method is undertaken
by a range of practitioners.
As there is currently no one particular monetary valuation method that has achieved
national acceptance across the arboricultural industry, the assigning of a monetary value to a
tree based on cost of repairs and/or removal and replacement for a particular tree has merit,
economic understanding and is repeatable. It is acknowledged that there are other intrinsic
values attached to an urban tree, however the subjectivity attached to establishing such a
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value could open up the tree valuer to scrutiny and lengthy, and at times legal, debate as to
the accuracy of these perceived values.
Assigning a monetary value to a tree based on cost of repairs and/or removal and
replacement are based on real economic costs, i.e. the actual costs borne to rectify or repair a
tree.
1. Costs to be calculated in determining the value of a tree including:
Costs of any report or opinion given on a subject tree. Includes consulting arborist’s
fees or other professional opinions, tests and investigations needed to establish the
condition of the tree and recommend appropriate remedial works or to establish cost
to repair, rectify or replace.
Costs incurred to repair any damage to the tree. This would include pruning, tree
surgery, soil amelioration, and cultural maintenance programs, e.g. watering
programs, fertilising, de-compaction works, etc.
2. Costs to remove a tree and dispose of debris including the stump.
3. Costs for any associated works to undertake remedial tree works, e.g. community
consultation, traffic control, power shutdowns, underground utility identifications, etc.
4. Costs for tree replacement with largest available specimen (advanced tree from nursery)
of same or mutually agreed similar species to the removed tree. Costs to include all
transport costs and any associated works to undertake planting of tree, e.g. community
consultation, traffic control, underground utility identifications, etc.
5. Cost to establish tree for up to 5 years. Includes watering programs, formative pruning,
pest and disease control, re-mulching and fertilising. Also includes associated costs for re
assessment and monitoring of newly planted tree. Period of tree establishment
maintenance can be dependent on the size of the planting stock and also the species used.
The range will be 2 year minimum to 5 year maximum.
The Tree Coordinator or delegated representative, based on current suppliers of such goods
and services will establish the repair, replacement or rectifying costs assigned to the value of
a tree. An average of 3 quotations for each stage of work and/or goods and services rendered
should be sought.
If a tree has been removed and was particularly significant due to its size, prominence in the
landscape, rarity, or other highly esteemed social value, the practitioner may compound the
initial cost of repair / replacement figure for the amount of years to have a newly planted
tree achieve a similar size in the landscape to the tree removed or to a stage that the tree is
established and having an impact on the landscape.
A compounded or future cost depends on: 1) the original cost, 2) the number of years to
reach pre-damage condition, and 3) the interest rate expected to be earned for investing that
cost for the appropriate number of years (CTLA, 2000) (see table 1).
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Table 1: Annual interest rates compounded
Years
5%
5.50%
6%
7%
8%
1
1.05
1.06
1.06
1.07
1.08
2
1.10
1.11
1.12
1.14
1.17
3
1.16
1.17
1.19
1.23
1.26
4
1.22
1.24
1.26
1.31
1.36
5
1.28
1.31
1.34
1.40
1.47
6
1.34
1.38
1.42
1.50
1.59
7
1.41
1.45
1.50
1.61
1.71
8
1.48
1.53
1.59
1.72
1.85
9
1.55
1.62
1.69
1.83
2.00
10
1.63
1.71
1.79
1.97
2.16
11
1.71
1.80
1.89
2.10
2.33
12
1.80
1.90
2.01
2.25
2.52
13
1.88
2.01
2.13
2.40
2.72
14
1.98
2.12
2.26
2.57
2.94
15
2.08
2.23
2.39
2.75
3.17
The Tree Care Coordinator or delegated officer(s) will decide if a compound cost will be
included in the tree valuation. The decision will be reliant on the perceived condition and
significance of the damaged/removed tree, the landscape context, the desired tree for the
landscape and the community’s perceived expectations.
Prior to determining monetary values for trees, the condition of the tree(s) must be
established. The condition of trees will affect the monetary values generated by most
methods of tree valuation. It is also necessary to establish limits with regard to what trees
will be valued. Trees that are dead, dying or in such poor condition that their useful life
expectancy is limited shall not be assigned monetary values. Any value assigned to such
trees would be negligible and open to interpretation. In actual fact, trees within these
categories should probably be removed under normal tree management practices.
1. Example of tree valuation based on cost of repair. Damaged maturing, large deciduous
street tree growing in street. Damaged crown by demolition of house:
Description
Cost
Arboricultural inspection and report
$550.00
Remedial pruning works
$850.00
Follow up assessment to ascertain works
$120.00
TOTAL
$1,520.00
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2. Example of tree valuation based on cost of removal and replacement. Damaged maturing,
large deciduous street tree:
Description
Cost
Arboricultural inspection and report
$550.00
Tree removal works
$1,680.00
Stump Removal
$165.00
Largest available tree replacement including delivery
$1,700.00
Planting Cost
$350.00
Establishment maintenance costs over 5 years
$500.00
Follow up assessments
$240.00
Total
$5,185.00
Compound Cost
Estimated years to reach pre-damaged size
10
Interest rate 5.5% over 10 years (refer to Table 1)
1.71
Total including Compound Cost
$8,866.35
Council will use the cost of repairs and/or removal and replacement cost to establish the
monetary value of a tree until such time as an Australian Standard has been ratified.
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APPENDIX B
ACTIVITIES RESTRICTED WITHIN THE CROWN PERIPHERY OF
A STREET TREE
Adapted from AS4970/2009 ‘Protection of trees on development sites’.
Activities generally excluded from the Crown Periphery of a Street Tree include but are not
limited to
• machine excavation including trenching;
• excavation for silt fencing;
• cultivation;
• storage;
• preparation of chemicals, including preparation of cement products;
• parking of vehicles and plant;
• refueling;
• dumping of waste;
• wash down and cleaning of equipment;
• placement of fill;
• lighting of fires;
• soil level changes;
• temporary or permanent installation of utilities and signs, and
• physical damage to the tree.
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