After first consulting with key community stakeholders, Council has put its draft Tree Management Policy on exhibition so that it can be presented to Council for ratification early in the year.

The Draft Tree Management Policy 2021 pulls together key elements of two previous policies that dealt with different aspects of Council’s management of public trees: its Tree Planting Policy – Council Reserves and Public Places (adopted 2015) and the Tree & Vegetation Vandalism Policy (adopted 2018).

“We have combined the key elements of these previous two policies to provide greater clarity on Council’s position on tree management and ensure the community, Council and anyone else working with trees on public land in our LGA has a single document to refer to,” says Mike Dowd, Director Engineering and Works.

“Prior to putting the revised policy on exhibition, we conducted an in-depth workshop with a number of key community stakeholders to make sure we gathered information on the important elements. Now the policy is on public exhibition until the end of January and we encourage members of the Kiama community to read and provide feedback on the revised draft.

“While Council understands that tree management is always going to be a somewhat contentious issue, we hope we’re getting close to a fair and sensible policy that incorporates the wishes of the community, balanced against environmental consideration and the practicalities of managing our LGA’s precious flora.”

Sections of previous two policies that dealt with operational matters such as guides, inspection form, species lists and general protocols were removed. Items removed that are not already available to the public will be posted on council’s website.

Exhibition closes 31 January.