The Strathbogie Shire Tree Management Plan: Urban and Rural Strategies provides the framework for the maintenance, renewal and risk management of all tree assets growing on Council owned and managed land. This includes trees within designated roads and other reserves in Strathbogie Shire.

Council’s Tree Management Plan documents the management strategies we have in place to ensure the longevity and quality of trees within our Shire’s urban environments, as well as the risk management framework that will be applied to mitigate risk to the community as much as is reasonable and practicable.

The plan identifies inspection intervals and response times as part of Council’s risk management framework, which includes:

· A robust risk rating framework and methodology for tree assessment and hazards which then link into maintenance and inspection programs

· Maintenance scheduling

· Inspection timeframes and requirements, including a rolling five-year program of regular condition and hazards inspections.

Council’s green infrastructure including its trees, are highly valued by our community and contribute greatly to the amenity of the built environment within our Shire. Trees enhance liveability, landscape character and biodiversity. They are also widely recognised for their contribution to reducing the impacts of climate change, improving water conservation and for their shade which can significantly reduce daytime temperatures.

It is acknowledged that despite their benefits, the presence of trees in public areas can create a degree of risk to people, property and services through loss of limbs or from total tree failure. Tree management comes at a considerable cost in terms of plantings and maintenance, and can have significant impacts on infrastructure including drainage, construction projects, roads and footpaths.

The Council is responsible for more than 15,000 trees, on Council managed roads, streets, parks and open spaces. This includes local roads designated under the Road Management Act 2004.

The plan does not cover trees within Environmental Significance, Vegetation Protection and Heritage Overlays – these are administered by the Council’s Planning Department. Trees excluded from this plan are those on:

• Private property
• Australian Rail Track Corporation (ARTC)/Vic Track Land
• VicRoads managed land
• DELWP and Parks Victoria managed land
• Other land for which Council does not have responsibility.

It is Council’s responsibility under Section 43 of the Country Fire Authority Act 1958 to ‘take all practicable steps to prevent the occurrence of fires on, and minimise the danger of the spread of fires, on any road under its care and management’.

This Plan will be reviewed every four years. Any revisions will be subject to community consultation and Council approval processes. The plan may also be reviewed sooner based on emerging industry advice, audit or investigation outcomes.

Council maintains a register of all trees that are managed by Council in accordance with this Tree Management Plan. Information on each tree included in the Tree Register includes:

• Central Asset ID
• Site Code
• Asset Number
• Feature Type
• Location Details
• Classification (Responsibility)
• Area Name
• Tree Common Name
• Tree Genus
• Tree Species
• Tree Age
• Tree Diameter at Breast Height
• Tree Height
• Tree Health
• Tree Structure
• Tree Useful Life Expectancy
• Tree Electrical Line Clearing (yes/no)
• Unique Photo
• Site Risk Category (to be further developed)
• Inspection interval (to be further developed).

Trees are important to us. They are key considerations in our environmental standards, and guidance is given for any planned works around trees. When civil works are proposed near trees an assessment and works plan is necessary to ensure tree damage is avoided or minimised. Although at times it is not possible to avoid all potential conflicts regarding works and trees, every effort must be made to avoid or minimise the impact on them.

All works and activities including events that are planned within proximity to trees must be conducted in accordance with the following Australian Standards:

• AS4373 Pruning of amenity trees
• AS4970 Protection of trees on development sites.