Pittwater Life November 2023 Issue

New Canopy Plan a win for locals
Council’s new Tree Canopy Plan will give Pittwater’s vast
existing canopy the same focus as other suburbs on the
Northern Beaches that require increased plantings, thanks to
intervention by Pittwater Greens Councillor Miranda Korzy.
Last month Council endorsed its initial three-year plan to
ensure the Local Government Area’s tree canopy remained one
of the largest in Sydney.
But Councillor Korzy explained the final draft plan prioritised
the creation of canopy in areas like Brookvale and Dee
Why, where trees were scarce and
the urban heat more intense.
However, in a win for the upper
Peninsula, her proposal to give
equal weighting to protection and
preservation of areas with significant
canopy such as Pittwater was
endorsed in the final plan.
“That means funding for the
Canopy Plan for actions like succession
planting – so as old trees reach
the end of their life, younger ones
are already growing in place,” said
Cr Korzy.
“We can also look forward to the
creation of an Iconic Tree Register
RECORD: A Tree Register will note significant trees on both
public and private land.
to record trees on both public and private land with significant
scientific, social, historic and/or aesthetic value.
Also, to protect trees from illegal removal, Cr Korzy called for
a system of notification for Council-approved tree removals.
“This would include signs to be posted at properties, as for
DAs, alerting the community to the proposed removal, providing
opportunities for community feedback, and identifying if
permission exists for a tree to be felled.”
She said the canopy plan also included other important measures,
such as establishing incentives for landowners to retain
and protect trees.
Council said it received 197 submissions on the draft plan.
There was strong support for increased compliance and heavier
fines for illegal tree removal; strong support for a review of
statutory and development controls to support the protection of
trees on private land; and strong support for tree planting being
practical and prioritising native species.
Other key actions in the plan include: continuing to plant
5,000 trees per year; conducting an audit of trees in priority
areas; measuring tree canopy cover every four years; raising
awareness about tree planting programs; improving tree
diversity and health; and strengthening the Local Environment
Plan and Development Control Plans to focus on retention and
protection of tree canopy.
Council said it would continue to investigate and act upon
unauthorised activities that impacted on the tree canopy,
such as illegal vegetation clearing, unauthorised recreational
trails and other environmental
damage.
The plan provides actions to
manage tree canopy through
to 2027, when the plan will be
reviewed.
Beyond existing canopy, the
Pittwater suburbs prioritised for
increased plantings included Mona
Vale, Narrabeen and Warriewood.
Local regeneration group Canopy
Keepers welcomed the plan.
Canopy Keepers has always
maintained a focus on the preservation
of the existing canopy,
so we thank Councillor Korzy,” said
spokesperson Deb Collins.
She said retaining canopy was easier and cheaper than growing
new canopy and existing canopy provided the vital corridors
that wildlife needed to access food, water and their habitat.
“This Tree Canopy Plan now offers us a multi-pronged approach.”
She added that if residents better understood the health and
safety aspects of a strong canopy they would contribute to
growing and maintaining canopy on private land – which she
stressed was the place of greatest canopy loss.
“Compliance needs to come in the form of more rangers
on the ground who can answer questions, assess tree health,
explain to residents how the laws work and why, and track tree
replacements,” she said.
“And we need better systems and a new interface between
Council and residents to assess and monitor tree removal permits
and approvals.”
– Nigel Wall
*What do you think? Tell us at readers@pittwaterlife.com.au
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