Metro North-West JDAP - Agenda - Meeting No 23 ... - City of Stirling

setback area will only be used for landscaping and car parking and it is considered
that the intention of the policy provision is achieved.
Street Trees
The application proposed the removal of an existing street tree, as it conflicts with the
proposed crossover location. The City’s Street Tree Policy (ATTACHMENT 9)
requires that:
The City will not remove street trees except where retention is considered
undesirable or unreasonable, such as where: exceptional circumstances exist
relating to public risk and safety; the tree species is not an approved variety and is
not acceptable to the City; or the tree precludes redevelopment of an adjoining site,
with no other reasonable alternative to removal.
The application was referred to the City’s Parks and Reserves Business Unit for
comment who have advised the following:
• The tree in question is a mature Rose Gum or Eucalyptus Grandis.
• There are two (2) Rose Gums located within the road reserve adjacent to Lot
64
• Street trees are to be retained in all circumstances. However where trees are
poor of health, structure or measured as high risk due to position and nature
they might then be considered for removal and replacement.
• The proposed landscape plan has nominated tree species, shrubs and
groundcover to be planted within the property but does not show the
remaining Rose Gum within the verge.
• Using the pictures provided it shows the Rose gum situated on the left as you
face the property to have an included union approximately 3m from the
ground. It also shows a secondary branch having died and is poorly attached.
There are several occluding stubs along the apical stems indicating where
other branches have failed or have been removed over its lifetime. The
second tree to the right of the target tree is approximately 22m in height and
width also with recent and aged faults apparent along its apical stems.
Although structurally well balanced a majority of the canopy forms over the
development site.
• These Rose gums were planted in an era where the local’s habits were to
plant anything other than native flora (1970’s) hence an overwhelming
presence of eastern state and exotic trees in WA and Perth metropolitan
areas.
• The tree in question is of poor structure and health. Removal can be justified
for this reason, however due respect might also be made to the larger tree as
to how its form and nature might impact upon the proposed site and design.
Or if retained a condition to impose strict protection conditions upon the
application be made.
• The City requires all approved tree removals to be undertaken by a City tree
contractor. Payment for this process is to be made at the City’s Administration
centre before any work is undertaken.
• An estimate of the cost for the tree work will be supplied by the Parks and
Reserves Business unit to the respective Planning Officer.
• Replacement planting is a natural consequence of tree removal in an effort to
offset the trees loss.
• A condition to make allowances for tree/s must be included and the cost to
plant is the applicant’s responsibility.
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