July 1 - 31, 2025: Issue 644

 

Tree Management Policy Adopted 

The council adopted a new policy devised to protect and enhance the tree canopy across the LGA at its July meeting on Tuesday July 15. It supports the Tree Canopy Plan which was ratified 2 years ago, replacing the previous 5 policies that covered Pittwater, Warringah and Manly councils.

Despite feedback pointing out in regards to ''A spread of tree age classes will be maintained to minimise the impact of tree removals in a given area'' that smaller native trees should be protected, the council response was 'No change proposed to the draft Policy'.  

At present trees under 5m in height can be removed. These are the canopy trees of the future. At present many mature canopy trees are nearing the end of their lives. Because of roads, buildings and gardens, they cannot reproduce by seedlings. So, to achieve a spread of age classes more small trees must be protected. 

However, the council policy allows for the continued destruction of these. 

No protection for removing Wildlife Homes or Feed Trees - No pushback for the 'a branch fell on my car' view

The response of 'No change proposed to the draft Policy' was also the case for residents calling for 'Improved notification to the community when a tree on Council land is to be removed'.

The council response was;  ''The draft Policy sets out the community notification to be implemented as part of our tree management processes. Based on our experience this is deemed to be suitable. Noting that prior notification is not required to remove trees identified as high risk, where there is immediate danger and / or in emergency situations.''

Pittwater residents have noted that although a wildlife officer is required to be present when trees are being removed to facilitate developments on private lands, no such consideration occurs when the council is removing a tree from nature strips. One resident witnessed a nest with eggs in it falling to the ground and smashing during the council's removal of two trees in Ruskin Rowe. 

Of three large trees known to have been removed in Avalon in the past few months, all were destroyed because a branch had fallen on a car parking under them and a complaint made - no wildlife officers were present at any of these tree-killings either. 

Rather than encouraging car owners to park their own vehicles on their own land, or adding into the policy that the council will take no responsibility for the same - and ensuring any development the council 'supports' in the future has the required number of car spaces, not 1 space for one bedroom apartments that will have two people with two cars living in them - the felling of trees for carparking and subsequent choking of streets to benefit the pockets of developers continues. 

The disingenuous approach continues in response to residents calling for the council to protect, improve and increase wildlife habitat and corridors and that non-native trees provide essential nesting and roosting for native animals and should be protected.

Council's response was ''The benefits provided by trees for habitat and local wildlife is mentioned in the objectives of the draft Policy and reflected in the Council’s suite of environmental sustainability policies and strategies. No change proposed to draft Policy. ''

So that non-native fig tree which may be destroyed without a permit, and has supported and fed generations of local and visiting annually wildlife, is still not taken into account under this policy. The council is hindered in this regard by the state legislation it is required to adhere to.

Calls to increase canopy are responded to with a statement that 5000 trees are planted across the LGA by the council annually. However, this time last year it was revealed over 30,000 trees had been removed since the council was installed by the previous state government, the trees planted are seedlings, often left to thrive or die after the planting, and are easily pulled out or destroyed if, for example, they get in the way of a view.

The council document does state it takes ensuring views are maintained into account when choosing sites for 'public trees'. Despite this, trees replanted on Clareville beach reserve have been destroyed since planting, while a row of trees at Careel Bay was replanted after those that had been there for decades had been poisoned, with a suspected clearing for 'views' the reason, and no one in the 3 homes that would have benefitted prosecuted. 

In fact, although the council has been successful in prosecuting some who illegally remove trees to further their development, or because they got in the way of a view, (one Heritage listed tree growing in public land on the Palm Beach waterfront was destroyed by a squillionaire recently), the fines imposed do not equal the loss of these trees or rare remnant local species, and even then, are easily met by those who have deliberately destroyed them in pursuit of their own agendas, and who have since sold up and moved out.

Pittwater Community organisations deem policy an 'improvement'

Pittwater based community group Canopy Keepers, accepts the policy as a step forward, stating after the meeting:

‘’This updated policy will serve the community and the council in managing tree retention and regeneration with greater clarity and will inform the DCP and LEP which are being reviewed this year. 

While not all of our suggestions were implemented we thank Council and Councillor Korzy for working tirelessly to improve the policy. 

A couple of key aspects to note: the Iconic Tree Register which has been long awaited will be up and running by the end of 2025 - as residents we will all be able to nominate trees on private and public land for inclusion in the register. This will provide us with an exciting map of significant trees in the LGA that are worthy of protection.

Councillor Korzy also campaigned again (as she did for the Tree Canopy Plan) for increased plantings not only in areas with poor canopy or tree coverage but also in areas that have experienced wildlife corridor and canopy tree removals - increasingly the case in Pittwater. 

Two additional amendments will take critical issues to a State level. This is so important because so much tree protection legislation is State based. One is a request to the Environment Minister Penny Sharpe to develop regulation for the arboriculture industry (currently there is none). The second is to develop a motion for the NSW Local Government Conference later this year calling on the state Government to develop legislation to improve the protection of trees; we hope this will be further expanded to a review of the 10/50 clearing rules. 

And finally it is now mandatory for all tree removals on private property to display a sign 7 days before and after the removal. We have lobbied that these notifications should at all times state the reason for removal and that the NBC website needs to be up to date on these approvals so that council staff and residents are not running around frantically questioning tree removals, when the information should be easily accessible.

At Canopy Keepers we are so grateful to all who have contributed to writing and improving this policy and to all of you who we trust will continue to support the preservation of our fantastic urban forests.’’

Pittwater Natural Heritage Association stated the Pittwater peninsula has the benefit of an extensive tree canopy which provides many important benefits to the community: improvement to air quality, cooling on hot days, absorption of carbon dioxide emissions, aesthetic value, a positive effect on mental health and, most importantly, provides habitat to native fauna.  

Pittwater Natural Heritage Association welcomes the draft tree management policy and appreciates that it recognises the value of trees in our local government area and aims to protect them. As usual, however good the policy, the proof of its value is in its effectiveness in achieving its aims.

The association called on the council to be firm in demanding local native species be planted, and to lead by example, and explain the habitat value of native tree species for fauna of all types.  

''We have a natural environment in need of restoration, not beautification. Residents can plant non-native species on their own property.''

PNHA also stated the council should not permit trees on road reserves to be removed for the benefit of developments on neighbouring private land, for driveways for instance. 

Regarding the council's proposed Iconic Trees Register PNHA pointed out that should have a category that includes iconic trees of the future, of trees that are native and young. People could be invited to nominate such trees, on their own land, or elsewhere such as a road reserve. The trees could be registered on a data base, and their health and growth be recorded regularly. This information could be published as a celebration of the value of native trees. 

As well, streets notable for their native trees could be nominated, and celebrated as part of our urban forest. An example could be the various native canopy trees in Waterview St. Mona Vale. This could include providing information on how the trees’ health can be maintained as some are on private property.    

PNHA states it is very important to stress positive benefits of trees, to humans and fauna including invertebrates. This needs to be done frequently and in various ways, especially for new residents who are stating 'trees belong in forests, not urban areas' but have moved in under the Pittwater canopy anyway.

Pittwater Councillor Miranda Korzy statement: 

The news service asked Miranda Korzy for a statement after her years of work on ensuring this and following generations may have trees to look up into.

“The buzz of chainsaws felling trees in Pittwater has been so widespread in recent years that it now brings some residents to tears,” Ms Korzy said.

”I’ve had complaints from locals where neighbouring blocks have lost up to 100 trees, and several where trees have been removed from their own land by neighbours. One DA called for removal of more than 900 trees.  

“I was therefore very pleased to move a motion bringing the new Tree Management Policy to council at the July meeting, with its focus on the protection and enhancement of our tree canopy.

“The policy recognises the many important functions of trees to urban cooling, carbon sequestration, noise reduction and providing wildlife habitat, amongst other things. 

“Most importantly, the Iconic Tree Register, which will launch later this year, will gradually create a map of all the significant trees across the LGA, with photos included, whether on public or private land, and result in increased protection for them.

“Anyone in the community who believes a tree has special aesthetic, scientific, historical or other cultural value will be able to nominate it.

”The register, along with other measures in this high-level policy, are derived from the Tree Management Plan, adopted in 2023.

“I hope together they will ensure Pittwater remains a collection of villages, nestled within the trees.”

“Under my amendment to the policy, replacement of trees that have been removed as well as plantings in areas with little or no canopy will both be prioritised, and anyone removing a tree on private land will be required to provide seven days notice before and after the event.

“ On private land, permits issued for tree removal must now be posted for at least seven days before and after the event. This will create greater transparency and I hope discourage illegal tree felling. 

“I’m also pleased that my amendment for the council to write to NSW Environment Minister Penny Sharpe calling for improved tree protection, including regulation of the arboriculture industry was accepted,” Ms Korzy said. 

”In recent years, we’ve seen unqualified tree loppers posting flyers in Pittwater residents’ letter boxes, or even knocking on their doors, telling them a tree in their garden is dangerous or dying, and offering to remove it for them.

“This has led to illegal tree felling, placing residents’ homes and potentially themselves in danger as well.”

I’m very grateful for the work and help of Pittwater Natural Heritage Association, Canopy Keepers and other members of the community who have contributed towards this policy since 2017, when the Tree Canopy Plan was first proposed.

Some public submissions called for lower tree limits for removals, however, that issue will be discussed in relation to the new Development Control Plan now being drafted. 

The council is also carrying out a review of tree management practices over the next six months, which will feed into new staff guidelines. ”

Good Trees Need Good Neighbours

Independent MP for Pittwater, Jacqui Scruby, says the council’s new Tree Management Policy is a good step, but protecting the area’s 12 million trees will take more than policies.

“Good trees need good neighbours and that includes all of us,” Ms Scruby said.

“Our community worries about tree loss on streets, blocks and public land. A policy helps, but so does choosing to keep a tree instead of paving over it.”

Ms Scruby is calling for local tree champions in every suburb, more education on the value of mature trees, and stronger partnerships between council, state and community to keep trees central to planning.

“We all have a tree story. Let’s celebrate them, protect them and plant more. With National Tree Day coming up in August, now is the perfect time to get involved.”

Residents can view the policy on the council website and contact Jacqui’s office with ideas to keep Pittwater green.

Background reports:


Tree stump of a Ruskin Rowe tree destroyed by the Northern Beaches Council 

a Pittwater spotted gum