Port Stephens Council Tree Management – Draft changes to Development Control Plan (DCP)
The statement in the report to the 23 June 2020 Council meeting: ‘There are no policy changes proposed …’ is misleading. Council’s proposed introduction of a ‘self-certification’ regime, without input from a qualified arborist, as the means of implementing a 2017 State Government Vegetation policy[1], does in practice mean a significant (and undesirable) change to the Tree Management provisions.
In our view, the draft amendments:
- make tree removal easier, increasing the risk of removal for inappropriate reasons
- do not adequately support the objective of the 2017 State Government Policy – to preserve and protect trees
- weaken Council’s ability to perform its legislated role under the 2017 Policy
Full Submission – Click Here
[1] State Environmental Planning Policy (Vegetation in non-Rural Areas) 2017 (Vegetation SEPP)
The resident should be able to remove a non native tree without an approval if it is considered a danger eg amber trees etc — a hazard to water and sewerage drains.
Council should be aware from RFS the potential public areas of trees , under their control , close to residential areas in relation to bush fire potentially , for them to clear.
Residents within the designated bushfire areas , in accordance with potential bush fires , should be informed their ability to clear their land , without any approval.