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Share your thoughts on draft tree management plan in Baw Baw Shire by 26 Feb 2024

Share your views on tree protection in Baw Baw Shire! Provide feedback on council's Draft Tree Management Plan and Policy. Consultation open on Baw Baw Connect until February 26, 2024.

By news@gippsland - 2nd February 2024 - Back to News

Have your say on the protection and management of trees in the Baw Baw Shire with consultation for council's Draft Tree Management Plan and Draft Tree Management Policy now open. These two documents will guide council when managing its trees in the future, ensuring it is acting in the best interests of the community, while upholding public safety and maintaining green townships that residents can value and appreciate.

The Draft Policy outlines a systematic, measurable approach to tree management, emphasising risk and public safety, and addresses customer inquiries

Tree management input

This consultation closely follows council's recent Significant Tree Study, which closed last week. Once finalised, the Significant Tree Study will support changes to the Baw Baw Planning Scheme to protect significant trees and build a better understanding of environmental assets across the Shire.

The consultation for the Draft Tree Management Plan and Draft Tree Management Policy will be open for feedback on Baw Baw Connect until Monday 26 February 2024. The draft plan covers the management of trees that are alongside roads and paths managed by council, in council managed open space and, in the vicinity of electric lines where council is responsible for the clearance of trees. The draft plan also establishes a clear set of guidelines for council and the community.

Comprehensive tree management

The following areas have been included in the Draft Tree Management Plan so that council has an endorsed position in the future:

• Service levels in Urban and Rural Maintenance Areas
• Risk, damage, and insurance procedures
• Tree amenity values
• Tree protection zones
• Private planting roadsides
• Management of tree pests and diseases
• Overhanging trees and interference with TV reception, solar panels, fence lines and leaf litter
• Tree maintenance processes regarding removal, pruning, habitat trees, replacement of inappropriate tree species under power lines
• Heritage and memorial trees
• Trees overhanging gravel walking tracks and trails
• Trees within unused road reserves

You can read the full draft plan by visiting the Draft Tree Management Plan and Policy website. The Tree Management Policy will become the overarching document informing how council manages its urban and rural trees, while also outlining council's position and legal requirements for tree management. View the full draft policy at Draft Tree Management Plan and Policy website.

Provide your feedback

Baw Baw Shire Mayor Cr Annemarie McCabe said that council is aware of the important role that trees play in beautifying the local community and what an important asset they are. "We know how important looking after our trees is and the council has an important role to play in balancing the needs and wants of our community, while also keeping everyone safe."

"By putting these two documents out for public exhibition we are giving our community the chance to read and consider these, before giving us their thoughts and feedback on how we can best manage trees in the future in Baw Baw," the Mayor said. Visit Draft Tree Management Plan and Policy website today and have your say, your way.

Pictures from Baw Baw Shire Council website.

Source: http://gippsland.com/

Published by: news@gippsland.com

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• Bass Coast secures long-term protection for distinctive landscapes and Western Port Woodlands
  Bass Coast Shire Council welcomes the Bass Coast Statement of Planning Policy, securing long-term protections for 24 townships, distinctive landscapes, and the Western Port Woodlands while guiding sustainable future growth.
• Latrobe City invites community input to shape the 2026/27 budget and future priorities, submit feedback by 17 November 2025
  Latrobe City Council is seeking community input to help shape the 2026/27 Budget. Share your priorities via council's Have Your Say platform by 5pm, Monday 17 November 2025.
• Peri Urban Councils advocate for housing, infrastructure, and policy recognition with state government
  Peri Urban Councils Victoria met government leaders at Spring Street, advocating for housing solutions, essential infrastructure funding, and policy recognition to support rapidly growing peri urban communities sustainably.
• Southern Rural Water upgrades over meters across Gippsland to improve accuracy and fair water management
  Southern Rural Water is replacing 1,000+ outdated meters across southern Victoria by 2026, boosting accuracy, compliance, and fair water management under national standards - with no cost to customers.
• East Gippsland community invited to provide feedback on Lakes Entrance Summer Carnival foreshore location and improvements
  East Gippsland Council invites community feedback on continuing the Lakes Entrance Summer Carnival at its foreshore location, seeking ideas on layout, activities, accessibility, and improvements for future planning and safety.