Maribyrnong Council - Public consultation begins on tree protection

Please send emails or letters outlining your opinions regarding protecting Maribyrnong's trees to email@maribyrnong.vic.gov.au or PO Box 58, Footscray VIC 3011. Please forward to anyone you think may be supportive. You may like to use the following suggestion, supporting the National Trust submission. For more information, and full documents, go to https://www.facebook.com/groups/870720249769563/ Cr Cuc Lam, Mayor Maribyrnong City Council PO Box 58 Footscray VIC 301 CC: City Development Special Committee Nigel Higgins, Director Planning Services RE: Protection of Maribyrnong Trees Speaking as a (person affected by the loss of the old oak tree from Cowper Street / a Maribyrnong resident / a supporter of a policy of default diameter permit systems and significant tree registers for Australian councils / someone with concern for the personal and environmental importance of trees/ ....) I am writing to commend Maribyrnong Council for responding to community concerns regarding trees, and to support the National Trust submission to council. The work to date on the draft Significant Tree Register Policy and criteria form a solid basis for this important work. The National Trust of Australia (Victoria) considers that this Policy and criteria could be further strengthened in line with best practice for establishing statutory protection for trees in the Victorian Planning Scheme. I submit my support for the following National Trust suggestions: That the City Development Special Committee: 1. Adopt the draft Significant Tree Register Policy and the criteria to be used for the establishment of a Significant Tree Register with the following changes: a. Undertake a vegetation survey using expert advice and community input, in line with the VPP Practice Note for Vegetation Protection in Urban Areas b. In addition to the development and implementation of a Significant Tree Register, pursue the protection of significant trees on public and private land under the Local Government Act 1989, creating a permit system through local law for pruning or removal of trees reaching an agreed threshold c. Make minor updates to the Significant Tree Register criteria to better reflect the National Trust’s Significant Tree Register criteria d. Pursue the implementation of tree bonds for significant trees on development sites, and review fines for illegal removal of significant trees to deter such tree removal 2. Commence public consultation seeking nominations for trees to be considered for inclusion on the register 3. Following extensive consultation, receive a further report with an independent assessment of all nominations and a draft Significant Tree Register Regards