Council has adopted its Tree Protection and Management Policy, placing tree protection, retention and canopy enhancement at the centre of decisions about trees managed by Council. The policy prioritises keeping trees wherever possible, with removal a last resort. It provides a clearer framework for considering alternatives to removal, managing community safety risks and protecting the ecological value of trees.
Mayor Cr Naomi Joiner thanked the community for providing feedback during consultation.
"Community feedback has helped shape the final policy, strengthening its focus on tree protection and making it clearer how decisions are made," Cr Joiner said. "The policy also introduces additional ecological assessment requirements before major pruning or removal of significant indigenous trees."
The policy is built around three principles: protecting the benefits trees provide, minimising impacts on trees and offsetting necessary removals. Where tree loss is unavoidable, replacement planting and reinvestment in urban greening will help address the impact. A framework for valuing public trees as natural assets takes account of their species, appearance, location and condition.
This supports tree protection and a consistent approach to recovering costs associated with tree damage or loss. The policy brings together and updates Council's 2018 Tree Management Policy and Tree Management Guidelines. It also supports the Urban Tree Canopy Strategy 2024-2040 and Biodiversity Strategy 2024-2034, helping protect habitat, strengthen climate resilience and retain Nillumbik's landscape character.
Annual reporting will track tree removals, replacement planting and canopy gains and losses. An education and communication program will help Council staff, contractors and community members understand the value of trees and the importance of protecting them.
To read the adopted policy, visit nillumbik.vic.gov.au/tree-management
