MARCH 28, 2018 \ STARWEEKLY.COM.AU
(Shawn Smits)
NEWS + SPORT + THE WEST’S BEST PROPERTY GUIDE
Guess who is No.1? The west’s multi-sports star, Monique Conti, played a huge role in the Western Bulldogs’ grand final victory on Saturday. Conti racked up the possessions to help guide the Bulldogs women to their first AFLW flag with a gripping six-point victory over the Brisbane Lions. ■ Full coverage: Page 35
City rings in tree change By Benjamin Millar Significant trees across Maribyrnong will soon receive greater protection under a new register that will list and help retain the area’s most important trees. The register has been created in response to last year’s destruction of a giant oak tree, estimated to be more than 120 years old, on a Footscray block owned by a property developer. The tree was attacked with chainsaws and then cut down while the state planning minister was still determining an urgent request for interim protection.
A draft policy for a significant tree register, due to be presented to last night’s council meeting, also flagged a move to seek public nominations of significant trees for inclusion. An officer’s report in support of the policy stated that protecting significant trees is an important part of safeguarding a city’s natural and cultural heritage. It notes that ongoing growth and development make it timely to investigate ways to protect significant trees in Maribyrnong. “Trees can be significant for a number of reasons, including scientific, social, historical, environmental or aesthetic significance,” the report stated.
It said adopting a register through the Maribyrnong Planning Scheme will provide a high level of protection for significant trees by triggering a need for a planning permit for their removal or nearby building work. Residents will be encouraged to nominate trees, which will then be assessed by an independent arborist. The criteria used to assess a tree’s significance will be based on the National Trust’s Significant Tree Register. While a Maribyrnong register has been welcomed, pressure remains on the council to further beef up protection rules and be more pro-active in identifying trees for protection.
National Trust advocacy manager Felicity Watson said it was a positive to see community engagement encouraged, yet relying on residents alone to identify trees for inclusion on the register would lead to gaps in protection. “The National Trust would like to see Maribyrnong council go a step further, and engage an arborist to do a comprehensive independent review of trees across the municipality, similar to that undertaken by neighbouring Moonee Valley,” she said. The trust would also like to see rules that require a permit to remove trees with a certain circumference or greater while the register is being developed.