The future is looking greener with the adoption of Moira Shire Council's Tree Management Policy.
The aim is to increase Moira's urban tree canopy coverage by 15% over the next 10 years, with a focus on maintaining and improving safe, diverse and healthy trees on all public land under Council's management.
Moira Shire Council Chair Administrator Dr Graeme Emonson PSM said trees play an important role in enhancing the amenity of our towns.
"Trees provide aesthetic, ecological and health benefits, as well as supporting climate change resilience," Dr Emonson said.
"Council is committed to enhancing the urban tree canopy through the strategic planting of 2400 additional trees on public land between 2025 and 2035, expanding canopy coverage by 15% beyond the existing 16,000 registered trees.
"This will improve urban amenity, protect infrastructure, increase shade coverage, enhance species diversity, and reduce carbon emissions and urban heat through a planned landscape approach."
Dr Emonson said the development of landscape themes, careful species selection and mapping of existing and future tree canopy cover is required to plan Moira's future urban landscapes.
"This planning will ensure the prioritised planting of new trees and the appropriate protection, maintenance, pruning and removal of existing trees."
Public consultation on the draft Tree Management Policy highlighted how important public trees, especially their removal and replacement, are to the community.
Dr Emonson said appropriate consultation and notifications will be undertaken as required to keep the community informed.
"There will be opportunities for community input in the planning and selection of tree species during the development of landscape plans," he said.
"We are also aware there are many 'remarkable' trees across the shire which have aesthetic, historical, commemorative, social and cultural significance. It is important to protect these trees."
Moira Shire Council's Tree Management Policy is available online.
