2015-03-31 Infrastructure and Services Committee Meeting Agenda

INFRASTRUCTURE & SERVICES COMMITTEE MEETING AGENDA                                 31 MARCH 2015




                                                                             Council Policy
                                                                   TREE
                                                   MANAGEMENT ON PUBLIC
                                                                  LAND

    Corporate Plan Reference:                 ’Custodianship of Noosa’s Environment’, ‘Quality
                                              Service Delivery’ and ‘Looking after Community
                                              Assets’.

    Endorsed by Council:                      <Insert Date of Ordinary Meeting >

    Policy Author:                            Manager Civil Operations, Planning & Infrastructure


POLICY BACKGROUND

Trees on public land are fundamental to the character of Noosa Shire. They shade our parks,
cool and soften our buildings, enhance our streets and they provide homes and food for our local
wildlife.

Trees in urban areas have a cooling effect that may significantly reduce energy consumption in
Summer. Trees also prevent soil erosion, filter wind, reduce noise and air pollutants, store carbon
and produce oxygen.

This policy ensures that trees on public land are managed in a consistent, transparent and
sustainable manner, in accordance with all relevant legislation and are recognised and treated as
valuable assets.

This policy is applicable to trees under the care and control of council on public land. This
includes parks, road reserves, and council-owned land including community facilities. This policy
does not relate to trees on private land. For trees on private land, The Noosa Plan regulates
vegetation clearing through application of the Biodiversity Overlay Code. Vegetation is also
regulated by the State Government through the provisions of the Vegetation Management Act.

This policy does not replace requirements determined by legislation and associated regulations,
local laws or planning scheme requirements.

This Policy does not apply to:
•       Trees on private property;
•       Trees on land controlled by council for conservation purposes except where they abut
        private land;
•       Trees in council bushland reserves except where they abut private land,
•       Declared pest plants;
•       Removal of trees and native vegetation under a permit or approval where offset planting
        must be provided as a condition of that approval; or
•       Removal of regrowth in constructed drains, firebreaks etc.




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