Designing the Street Tree Masterplan

Background

Urban trees are invaluable assets, particularly in inner-city environments where the conditions can be additionally harsh due to roads, roofs and large amounts of impermeable surfaces. Trees and tree canopies provide shade for pedestrians and cars, provide habitat and refuge for local birds and other fauna, improve air quality, and improve the way our streets look and feel.

The wrong tree in the wrong place can have significant negative impacts. This is a big consideration for all local governments to ensure the safety, amenity, and health of trees as well as protection for infrastructure. The need to have a managed approach to street trees in Mosman Park led to the development of the Street Tree Masterplan which the Council adopted in 2019.

The Street Tree Masterplan can be downloaded in two parts: the Masterplan and the Appendices.

What we did to develop the Master Plan

In 2016, the Town commenced a desktop review of street trees in the Town. Our aim was to improve streetscapes, reduce risks, and develop recommendations to invest in the right tree stocks to ensure quality streetscapes in the future. Once we understood the current situation with street trees in terms of species, tree health, expected longevity, and maintenance requirements, the Town then undertook two community surveys to find out community views about streetscapes and street trees.

The first survey in December 2018 helped to create the vision for street trees and streetscapes in Mosman Park, and led to development of the draft Street Tree Master Plan.

In August 2019, a second survey sought community comment on the Draft Masterplan. Copies of the Masterplan were widely available for review and comment, and three drop-in sessions were also offered.

In November 2019 the Town formally endorsed the new Street Tree Masterplan. The Town manages street trees based on a number of guiding principles which are outlined in the Street Tree Pruning, Removal and Replacement Policy.

What to do if you have a question about trees

Community engagement and support is important to the development and success of a healthy local urban forest. The way in which the community values the trees on their street and in their neighbourhood directly influences the Town's ability to develop and deliver a healthy volume of tree canopy for the benefit of all.

The Street Tree Pruning, Removal and Replacement Policy outlines the following:

• New street tree installations are undertaken according to the Masterplan. Species selection is based upon many considerations, including site characteristics, street orientation, evergreen or deciduous nature, height, canopy form, species origin (native or exotic), and nearby species spread and local diversity. When new plantings are being planned, street level consultations will happen if there is not already a strong dominant suitable species in the street.
• If you have any queries about new tree planting, tree pruning, tree removal, or any other tree related enquiry, please contact the Town on 9383 6600 or email admin@mosmanpark.wa.gov.au.
• If you wish to apply for trees to be considered for inclusion on the Significant Tree Register in line with the associated Significant Tree (Public Land) Policy 2.1.4., please contact us.