Residents living in some inner-urban areas could soon be fined if they prune trees in their gardens, a common practice, without first getting approval from their city council, as part of a new drive to “green” the area.
People living in Perth's north-eastern suburb of Bassendean may soon need permission to disturb their large trees as part of a new effort to help the town reach a 30 per cent tree canopy coverage target.
Bassendean Town Council attempted to seek development consent to cut down mature trees on private land in February this year but was turned down by the Western Australian Department of Planning, Lands and Heritage.
The changes are aimed at increasing greenery in the area. Credit: Getty Images
Perth City Council vows to increase greenery in LGA
The town planning department had declared that only trees on the town's significant tree register required council approval, but in April it overturned that rule, proposing again that it was illegal for council to cut down or alter any trees without permission.
According to the newly proposed policy, individuals planning works or developments that may affect trees will have to seek council approval if the trees are over eight metres tall or have a crown width of at least six metres and are not classified as weeds.
“Restricted trees must be preserved and protected in perpetuity, unless felling is approved as part of a zoning or development permit or is exempt,” the policy states, The West Australian reported.
Perth's Bassendean Town Council is proposing a new bylaw that would prevent residents from cutting down trees without a permit. Source: Facebook
Strict standards for local residents who want to cut down trees on their land
According to the council, approval is not required for work deemed essential for safety or wildfire management, trees on the town's list of unwanted species and maintenance pruning (defined as cutting less than 10 per cent of the tree's crown and no branches thicker than 10 centimetres).
Cutting down a tree because you want to improve the view of your property, because it has lost too many leaves, or because you simply don't like it would not be acceptable reasons under the proposed policy.
Bassendean Mayor Cath Hamilton said the overall aim of the initiative was to make the LGA greener.
“The revised Local Planning Policy 13 emphasises the council's commitment to balancing development and environmental sustainability whilst reflecting the local desire to protect Bassendean's green and natural character,” Mr Hamilton said.
Local residents are being encouraged to have their say on the issue, and Yahoo News Australia has contacted Bassendean Town Council to find out how the plans will proceed and the amount of the proposed fine.
Canopy targets across Australia
Many parts of Australia have tree canopy coverage targets in place, with state and local governments working to minimise the effects of climate change and urbanisation. In New South Wales, for example, the government has set a target to increase tree canopy coverage across Greater Sydney from the current level of around 22% to 40%.
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