2022-08-09 Services & Organisation Committee Agenda

SERVICES & ORGANISATION COMMITTEE MEETING AGENDA   9 AUGUST 2022




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SERVICES & ORGANISATION COMMITTEE MEETING AGENDA                                                             9 AUGUST 2022

                                                                                                     Noosa Shire Council
                                                                                  Guiding Principles for Tree Management

                   1.0    Background

                 Noosa Council manages and maintains a significant amount of trees situated on public land within the Noosa
                 Shire. This document has been developed to provide a set of guiding principles in addressing and prioritising
                 the management of trees, particularly in relation to decisions made on actions to be taken. The guiding
                 principles will enable staff to suitably respond to customer requests regarding reactive tree issues, as well
                 as determine our own proactive tree works programs.
                 The Noosa Shire’s landscape is characterised by its abundant green assets. The trees that exist in its
                 streets, parks and open space form a key part of its green asset inventory. Trees on public land are
                 fundamental to the character of Noosa Shire and provide social, cultural, economic and environmental
                 benefits. They shade our streets and 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.
                 Trees also present a risk to both people and property and Council staff try to manage this risk whilst also
                 maintaining trees as valuable assets where possible and safe to do so. This is critical within urban areas as
                 many trees are growing within modified environments which compromise their natural physiology and
                 growth, making them more at risk of developing stress-related health and structural issues which can lead
                 to them becoming hazardous.
                 Expectations of the public regarding trees are increasing, evident by tree-related customer requests being
                 the highest category received by Council. However, trees invoke emotive feelings by many in the community
                 who have intrinsic values attached to certain trees, or value all trees for their environmental benefits.
                 Conversely, some community members are fearful of the potential risks presented by trees, especially in
                 relation to storms and bushfire events. Council regularly receives both types of complaints in response to
                 decisions relating to retention or removal of various trees.
                 Due to finite annual tree management budgets, Council developed a proactive tree management program
                 within its Arboricultural Management Strategy. This allows Council to plan tree works according to annual
                 schedules with efficiency and effectiveness with the aim to reduce the volume of reactive tree works over
                 time. The well-managed urban tree canopy also reduces tree-related risk and liability for Council over time.
                  2.0     Purpose

                 The intent of this document is to provide guiding principles which staff and consultant arborists can use to
                 base tree management decisions on. Using the risk matrix which has been developed, robust decisions can
                 be made (particularly with regard to tree removal and replacement) with consideration of public safety and
                 infrastructure preservation at the forefront. This will eliminate any subjective conjecture or emotions from
                 various stakeholders around whether a tree should be removed or retained, as decisions are made by
                 experienced tree professionals following a standardised industry approach. These decisions can then be
                 backed by Council with the assurance that these guiding principles and an industry standard risk
                 assessment process has been followed. The risk-based tree management approach will also reduce the
                 amount of tree-related insurance claims made against Council.
                  3.0     Tree Management on Public Land Policy

                 Noosa Council adopted the current Tree Management on Public Land Policy in 2018. An updated version
                of this policy will be presented to Council for consideration in 2022.
                 The 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. It
                 also recognises that tree management in urban areas requires a balanced approach to risk management
                 whilst maximising benefits to the community.
                 The policy states that trees will only be removed or pruned after consideration of potential risks and benefits.
                 Where appropriate, Council will seek to replace trees that are removed with either more appropriate trees
                 or else equivalent trees in a more appropriate location.

                 Noosa Shire Council                                                                       2

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