The City of Fremantle has taken an important step towards protecting Fremantle's tree canopy cover.
On Wednesday night, Council unanimously adopted a tree retention policy which regulates the removal of large canopy trees on private property.
That is, trees that are 8m or more in height, and/or have an average canopy diameter of 6m or more, and/or have a trunk circumference of 1.5m or more.
The policy applies to coded R30 and below as well as land zoned 'Industrial'.
The aim is to retain mature trees which are typically lost at the demolition and subdivision stage and encourage developers to design around existing mature trees.
The policy, based on a model provided by WALGA, requires that a development application must be submitted and approved before an applicant can remove a regulated tree.
Where removal of a regulated tree is approved by the City, two replacement trees capable of growing into mature canopy-providing trees shall be planted.
Maintenance pruning of large canopy trees is permitted, so long as it does not harm the long-term viability of the tree.
There are policy exemptions for trees that pose safety issues, damage to essential infrastructure or are part of a bush fire management plan, for example.
The City also updated a separate policy concerning trees on City owned or managed land to align with this one.
The policy received support from 76% of Fremantle residents who engaged with the City earlier this year.
Mayor Hannah Fitzhardinge paid tribute to the groundwork that had been done by advocacy groups and Fremantle Councillors over the years to put this policy on the table.
"You've got to start somewhere. This policy covers the majority of property that exists in Fremantle.
"There is no better day to plant a tree than today. There is no better day to protect a tree than today.
"We can see policies like this rolling out across other local governments and hopefully it leads to a stronger statewide perspective on urban canopy, which I think is desperately needed," Mayor Fitzhardinge said.
Several Elected Members expressed their desire to extend the policy over time, with some keen to provide more educational and/or financial support to property owners for large tree maintenance (subject to the annual budget process).
Councillor Ben Lawver, a canopy advocate, said Council had taken a step towards protecting and further growing tree canopy across Fremantle.
"Though it's a modest step, it is important to acknowledge the work that has been done and the foundation this sets for future efforts.
"I am enthusiastic and ready to continue working with my Council colleagues to implement other report findings such as considering incentives for tree retention on private properties and if this new policy can be applied to areas zoned above R30," Cr Lawver said.
Nick Cook, co-founder of the WA Tree Canopy Advocates group, spoke in support of the policy "that will benefit the residents of Fremantle for generations to come".
"Although we must continue to plant new trees, we simply cannot afford to lose the mature canopy that we have left.
"This [policy] is a turning point, a pivot away from business as usual. Our urban forest across Perth is in crisis. The data shows Fremantle with a canopy of only 12%. The time for advocacy is over and the time for real action is now," Mr Cook said.
The Local Planning Policy 2.26 - Tree Retention will be published on the City of Fremantle's website.
