Shire of Peppermint Grove taking leaf out of Nedlands’ book ahead of new tree retention policy

The Shire of Peppermint Grove is considering introducing a similar tree retention policy as nearby Nedlands and other councils in a bid to restore Perth’s struggling canopy coverage. On Tuesday, shire councillors discussed advertising a draft local planning policy that would make it an offence to damage large trees on residential-zoned land without prior approval. Under the policy, tree-damaging activity would cover killing, removing or significant pruning of a mature tree over eight metres tall. The policy is based on a WALGA-developed strategy that has gained traction among western suburb councils and has already been adopted by the City of Nedlands. Peppermint Grove development services manager Joel Gajic said the shire’s version differed slightly, including limiting the effect of the rules only to residential zones. “We’ve introduced a small number of changes to the WALGA policy,” Mr Gajic said. “Whilst it will only apply to residential zones ... it will still encourage a design response to retain trees.” The push for councils to adopt a tree retention policy is in response to Perth’s struggling tree canopy coverage. Perth is currently rated the most barren out of any Australian capital city — and it is also the only city to not have an official tree retention policy or canopy target in place. “The intention is really to stop people bulldozing big trees,” shire chief executive Don Burnett said during Tuesday’s meeting. Mr Burnett also said an information sheet would be distributed to residents to help explain the policy. “We want to show that retaining trees can still benefit developers ... whilst the quality of the environment is considered,” he said. The council is scheduled to make a decision on approving the policy for advertising during its August 27 meeting.