Council has endorsed a new plan to ensure our tree canopy remains one of the largest in Greater Sydney.
The Northern Beaches Tree Canopy Plan includes a range of measures to protect, retain, maintain, and improve the tree canopy on public and private land.
It prioritises actions in areas of high urban heat, socio-economic disadvantage, existing established tree canopy, low canopy and in biodiversity corridors.
“We are protecting and preserving our great green tree canopy which is one of the best canopies in metropolitan Sydney,” Northern Beaches Mayor Sue Heins said.
“We are taking action to protect and grow more trees to mitigate climate change and ensure our beautiful bushland and green corridors can be enjoyed for future generations.
“A healthy, protected tree canopy not only provides essential habitat for local wildlife, but it also improves the liveability of our communities and reduces the urban heat island effect.
“Under this plan, there will be better monitoring of the local tree canopy, stronger planning frameworks and greater community involvement in greening out communities.”
Council received 197 submissions from the community on the draft plan, with very strong support for its aims and actions. There was strong support for increased compliance and heavier fines for illegal tree removal, strong support for a review of statutory and development controls to support the protection of trees on private land and strong support for tree planting being practical and prioritising native species.
The plan identifies high vulnerability areas and provides focus areas and actions to manage our tree canopy through to 2027, at which point the plan will be reviewed and revised.
Key actions include:
- continuing to plant 5,000 trees per year
- conduct an audit of trees in priority areas
- measure tree canopy cover every four years.
- implement an iconic tree register for public land.
- raise awareness about tree planting programs.
- improve tree diversity and health.
- strengthen the Local Environment Plan and Development Control Plans to focus on retention and protection of tree canopy.
- continue to investigate and act upon unauthorised activities that impact on the tree canopy, such as illegal vegetation clearing, unauthorised recreational trails and other environmental damage.
- promote the importance of retention and protection of trees as part of the development application and tree removal process.
Under the plan, the following areas will be prioritised for increasing their tree canopy cover: Brookvale, Dee Why, Mona Vale, Narrabeen, Manly, Manly Vale, Narraweena, Curl Curl Queenscliff, and Warriewood.
You can read the plan here