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Trees are essential in a warming climate, they cool us down, provide habitat for wildlife and provide a range of health and economic benefits. However, we are still losing large amounts of canopy each year, often as a result of development on private land.
The City’s Urban Forest Plan outlines a number of initiatives = to ensure trees are considered during development:
- Priority assessment for retained trees
- Retained Significant Trees list
- Trees on private site
- Street trees
- Voluntary protected tree register
- Verges
Retained Significant Trees list
In March 2022 Council resolved to maintain a list of Significant Trees that needed a development to vary the planning requirements (such as setbacks and building heights) to ensure the trees' retention.
The City’s Local Planning Scheme No. 3 allows the City to consider any variation to the planning requirements if it results in a Significant Tree being retained.
More information on planning incentives the City is considering to retain trees through development can be found in the 22 March 2022 Council Minutes (Item 12.1/DS2).
Trees on private sites
There are requirements relating to trees located on private sites, such as planting, retention and protection through development.
Residential developments valued at $100,000 or above are now required to:
- Retain existing Significant Trees or plant new Advanced Trees as per the State Planning Policy 7.3 – Residential Design Codes (R-Codes) - generally 1 tree per home.
Non- residential developments valued at $100,000 or above are now required to:
- Retain 1 significant existing tree for each 500m2 of land or
- Plant 1 new advanced tree for each 500m2 of land where no significant trees exist.
These requirements are outlined in Local Planning Policy 6.11 – Trees and Development, and supplemented by the R-Codes.
The City uses the Helliwell system to calculate the monetary value of a tree. This globally recognised system calculates a tree’s financial amenity value using a number of criteria including its life expectancy, tree size, rarity, importance in the landscape and the presence of other trees. This is an important step towards ensuring trees are valued as important community assets.
Learn how to retain trees during development
Click here
Street trees
Street trees contribute to the visual amenity of streets, provide shade and cooling for homes and footpaths, and provide food and habitat for wildlife. Street trees are the property of the City of Stirling and must be protected during development on adjacent private land.
Street trees will not be removed to allow development on private land. New developments should be planned so that driveways and crossovers do not conflict with street trees and the required setbacks are achieved. Setbacks are based upon tree trunk diameter and are required so that sufficient space is available for future tree growth and to prevent damage to driveways by tree roots.
For more information, visit the crossover page.
Street trees will not be removed to allow development on private land. The location and width of driveways on subdivided land will be impacted by existing street trees. Subdivision plans should consider how future homes can be developed and crossovers located while achieving required setbacks from existing street trees.
For more information, visit the crossover page.
A physical barrier or Tree Protection Zone must be installed around street trees to protect them from accidental or deliberate damage during construction and development on adjacent private land.
For more information, view the Reserve and Street Tree Policy.
Bond values are based upon the trees Helliwell value - please see the FAQ above for more detail. Bonds may be forfeited if street trees are damaged or die as a result of development.
For more information, view the Reserve and Street Tree Policy.
Verges
The verge is the area of public land located between a street kerb line and the boundary of an adjoining property.
Verge permits are required if you are developing your property and a verge treatment application form is required for any modifications to your verge.
Please visit the Verges page to learn more.
Voluntary protected tree register
One action of the Urban Forest Plan is to allow property owners to voluntarily register their trees, which the City will provide assistance to maintain.
To ensure the ongoing health of trees that the City helps to maintain, Council has resolved to introduce a Voluntary Protected Tree Register, which will provide planning protection for the registered trees.
In May 2022, Council considered Scheme Amendment No.113, and Local Planning Policy 6.17 – Protected Tree Register to introduce a voluntary registry of trees worthy of planning protection.
Public consultation on the draft planning legislation was undertaken from June to August 2022.
Council supported Scheme Amendment No.113 in November 2022, to allow it to be referred to the Western Australian Planning Commission for determination by the Minister for Planning.
Local Planning Policy 6.17 – Protected Tree Register is on hold pending a determination by the Minister for Planning on Scheme Amendment No.113.
More information on Scheme Amendment No.113 can be found in the 10 May 2022 Council Minutes (Item 12.2/DS2) and the 15 November 2022 Council Minutes (Item 12.2/DS1).
Trees cannot be placed on the protected tree register until the Minister for Planning has approved the City's Scheme Amendment.
If you want to let the City know you intend to protect your tree once the register is in effect, or if you have any questions about the process, please contact the City's Parks and Sustainability Business Unit on (08) 9205 8555.
Thinking about developing?
Where no street tree currently exits and the adjacent private property is developed, the City will plant one or more new street trees on the verge. Tree planting is a condition of development approval and fees apply.
Existing street trees must be considered as part of any development application. Removal of street trees in relation to development will not be considered outside of a development application. Visit the Planning advice page to find out more or get in contact with the City’s Development Services Team via the general enquiry and feedback form.
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