2019-02-12 Planning & Environment Committee Agenda

PLANNING & ENVIRONMENT COMMITTEE MEETING AGENDA                                      12 FEBRUARY 2019


      The remaining mature trees to be retained on the frontage (as per plan) will be protected and
      more native trees planted during OpWks. Council can condition a tree risk assessment for
      the remaining trees if the landscape plan does not satisfy the information request.
      Reaffirming the landscaping plan will recommend offset native planting on the frontage for
      any mature tree removed. Long term the landscaping and new plantings will improve the
      property frontage.
      Retaining the mature gum could not be achieved, the tree protection zone could not be
      achieved. The size of the tree requires a very large tree protection zone. The age of the tree
      is a significant risk to persons and property and council’s liability with the increased
      pedestrians, vehicles and buildings being exposed to aging falling limbs. The tree is not
      mapped in a biodiversity overlay so it is also preferred koalas are not encouraged into a
      developing urban area exposing themselves to being hit by vehicles or domestic dog attacks.
Prior to proceeding to notification the applicant did not provide an assessment of the mature native
trees by a certified arborist and appears to have made assumptions regarding the retention of the
trees based on the proposed development layout. The purpose of the Information Request was for
the applicant to retain the significant landscape trees and recognise that boundary fencing and
proposed development layout may require alteration to accommodate the retention of the trees.
After the completion of the notification period and being advised the officer recommendation would
likely be for a Preliminary Approval, the applicant provided an arborist report. The arborist report
makes comment on the retention of the trees based on the previously supplied layout but does not
specifically address the information request items and does not provide an amended layout. The
report details activities within 50% of the Tree Protection Zone of Trees 2 and 3 (adjacent to units
13 and 17) however provides no recommendations for the amendment of the layout to reduce the
amount of intrusion into the Tree Protection Zones. The recommendations within the report are
based on the submitted layout plan and do not provide Council assessment officers with sufficient
information to support the removal of trees.
It is noted that amendment to the development layout would safely allow for the retention of the
trees. Though it is unclear as to the specifics of the modifications required and the resultant impact
on layout and yield, it is likely that the retention of the trees will result in an amendment to the
location of the access driveway to Olivine Street and potentially to the setback of units adjacent to
Olivine Street.
4.    CONSULTATION
4.1. Referral Agencies
No referrals were required to any Referral Agencies.
4.2. Other Referrals
The application was forwarded to the following internal Council officers:
    Environment Officer
    Coordinator Engineering
4.3. Public Notification
The application was publicly notified for 15 business days in accordance with the Planning Act
2016. Three properly made submissions were received. The following table provides a summary
and assessment of the issues raised by submitters.

 Matters Raised                                   Comments
 Environment                                      It is agreed that the proposed layout will require the
 Destruction of trees and habitat for kangaroos   removal of a number of existing mature native trees. The
 and several bird species                         applicant provided an arborist report after the notification
                                                  period assessing the impact of the proposed layout on
 An Environmental Impact Survey should be
                                                  the mature native trees within the road reserve. It is
 provided

                                                                                              Page 28 of 94