FREMANTLE’S tall tree population received a bolstering after the Council unanimously voted for a tree retention policy last week.
As part of the policy, based on a model drafted by the WA Local Government Association, trees over eight metres tall, with a six-metre average canopy diameter and a 1.5-metre trunk circumference will be regulated so applicants will be required to submit a development application before removing it.
Additionally, the City of Fremantle says it will plant two trees for every one removed by an applicant in an effort to maintain its tree canopy.
The Freo community appear to be in overwhelmingly in favour of the policy judging by community consultation conducted by the City earlier this year: 76 per cent of respondents expressed “strong support” for the pending policy which has now been adopted.
City Ward councillor Adin Lang put forward an amendment for City officers to “investigate opportunities” to include “all residential design codes above R30” in the Tree Retention Policy and to be considered by Council, meaning the policy’s scope has potential to expand even further.
Hilton ward councillor Ben Lawver describes himself as a “canopy advocate” and says the policy is a “great first step” towards protecting Fremantle’s tree canopy, but wants to see it go further.
“We can plant all the trees we want to, but the sad reality is we’re not gong to actually meet our target of urban forest plan unless we protect the trees that we currently have… this will go a long way to us saving [those] trees,” Cr Lawver said.
“We’ve got a policy before us that overwhelmingly, three quarters of our community took the time to tell us that they strongly support it.
“It’s a very modest first step, but I look forward to seeing what more we can do in the future.”
Mayor Hannah Fitzhardinge highlighted that by implementing the policy, Fremantle is following in the footsteps of other local governments, including Nedlands, Bassendean, and Peppermint Grove.
“We can see policies like this rolling our across other local governments and hopefully it leads to a stronger statewide perspective on urban canopy which I think is desperately needed,” Ms Fitzhardinge said.
“You’ve got to start somewhere…this policy covers the majority of property that exists in Fremantle.”
by KATHERINE KRAAYVANGER