Draft Local Planning Policy – Tree Retention not supported

At the Ordinary Council Meeting on Tuesday 23 July, City of South Perth Council decided not to adopt the draft Local Planning Policy – Tree Retention.  

Instead, an alternative motion proposed by Mayor Greg Milner, was presented to Council and adopted. This motion requests the Chief Executive Officer ask the State Government to adopt a consistent position on trees on private property, to provide clarity on this issue. 

This alternative motion comes after Council requested that the City investigate the possibility of protecting large mature trees on private property by way of a local planning policy, following the State Government’s rejection of similar provisions from the City’s Local Planning Scheme No 7. 

The draft policy aimed to protect trees and enhance tree canopy through the assessment of development applications for tree-damaging activities or the removal of a regulated tree.

To read more about the draft Local Planning Policy – Tree Retention, visit southperth.wa.gov.au/council-meetings.   

The City of South Perth values trees and is committed to urban greening. We’ve undertaken a range of measures to improve the City’s tree canopy cover, including underground power, tree giveaways from our dedicated tree nursery and increased tree plantings on public land. Additionally, the City continues to be part of WALGA’s Urban Forest Working Group to stay up to date with latest industry developments for urban greening