❓ A parliamentary question regarding the removal and pruning of trees on primary school grounds, particularly mature tuart trees, focusing on policies, decision-making processes, and consultation practices. The response indicates existing policies and procedures are in place, with safety being the paramount concern.
AnsweredQoN 971Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
Regarding the removal and significant pruning of trees on primary school grounds, in particular mature tuart trees, and I ask -
(1) Is there a requirement for school development plans to consider the location of significant trees and to retain them?
(2) If no to (1), what policies and strategies does the Department of Education and Training have to ensure there is protection of remnant bushland and mature native trees on school grounds?
(3) Are school principals making the decision to remove and/or significantly prune trees?
(4) If yes to (3), on what authority?
(5) If no to (3), who is making these decisions?
(6) Is the Department of Environment and Conservation consulted with regards to tree removal?
(7) Is advice sought from a suitably qualified tree scientist prior to pruning or removal?
(8) If no to (7), -
(a) why is this;
(b) from whom is advice sought prior to pruning or removal;
(c) what qualifications are held by the person(s) named in the answer to 8(b); and
(d) if tree removal is recommended, is a second opinion sought?
(9) If yes to (7), please indicate who these suitably qualified tree scientists are?
(10) Is the Department aware of concerns raised by members of the public about the number of trees recommended for removal by a particular consultant used by the Department?
(11) If yes to (10), what steps is the Department taking to resolve those concerns?
(1) Is there a requirement for school development plans to consider the location of significant trees and to retain them?
(2) If no to (1), what policies and strategies does the Department of Education and Training have to ensure there is protection of remnant bushland and mature native trees on school grounds?
(3) Are school principals making the decision to remove and/or significantly prune trees?
(4) If yes to (3), on what authority?
(5) If no to (3), who is making these decisions?
(6) Is the Department of Environment and Conservation consulted with regards to tree removal?
(7) Is advice sought from a suitably qualified tree scientist prior to pruning or removal?
(8) If no to (7), -
(a) why is this;
(b) from whom is advice sought prior to pruning or removal;
(c) what qualifications are held by the person(s) named in the answer to 8(b); and
(d) if tree removal is recommended, is a second opinion sought?
(9) If yes to (7), please indicate who these suitably qualified tree scientists are?
(10) Is the Department aware of concerns raised by members of the public about the number of trees recommended for removal by a particular consultant used by the Department?
(11) If yes to (10), what steps is the Department taking to resolve those concerns?
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
15 September 2009
Responded by
Minister for Energy representing the Minister for Education
Response time
35 days
(1) Yes.
(2) Not applicable
(3) School principals have the capacity to initiate action to have trees pruned or removed if they consider the tree/s pose a clear and present risk to the safety of students, staff or property. Depending on the state of the tree/s, their location and any heritage issues, this may involve assessment by a suitably qualified consultant.
(4) School principals are appointed under the provisions of the
School Education Act 1999
, and are required to ensure the safety and welfare of students and staff on the school premises, as far as that can reasonably be done, and to perform any other function assigned to them by the Director General.
(5) Not applicable
(6) The Department of Environment and Conservation and the Department of Education and Training have met regarding the management of trees on new and established school sites. The Department of Environment and Conservation has advised that there is no requirement or need to consult with them on a site by site or a tree by tree basis.
(7) Where it is considered necessary, a suitably qualified consultant may be engaged to provide formal advice and recommendations on tree related matters.
(8) Not applicable
(9) There are a number of suitably qualified and experienced tree management consultants in the private sector available to provide advice to the Department of Treasury and Finance - Building Management and Works, and to the Department of Education and Training. These include Arbor Logic, the Arbor Centre, the Tree Amigos Tree Surgeons, John Banks, Kennedy's Tree Service, Tree Aesthetics, and Specialised Tree Lopping.
(10) Yes, the Department of Education and Training is aware of concerns raised by members of the public. The incidence of tree removals recommended by any consultant is based on sound professional advice with the safety of site occupants being paramount. Over the last year 18 trees have been removed from school sites in metropolitan and regional locations. Of these two trees were removed as a result of an evaluation conducted by the consultant in question. Both trees were considered to be of high risk to students, staff and visitors to the sites.
(11) Concerns raised by members of the public are resolved on a case-by-case basis by Department officers.
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(2) Not applicable
(3) School principals have the capacity to initiate action to have trees pruned or removed if they consider the tree/s pose a clear and present risk to the safety of students, staff or property. Depending on the state of the tree/s, their location and any heritage issues, this may involve assessment by a suitably qualified consultant.
(4) School principals are appointed under the provisions of the
School Education Act 1999
, and are required to ensure the safety and welfare of students and staff on the school premises, as far as that can reasonably be done, and to perform any other function assigned to them by the Director General.
(5) Not applicable
(6) The Department of Environment and Conservation and the Department of Education and Training have met regarding the management of trees on new and established school sites. The Department of Environment and Conservation has advised that there is no requirement or need to consult with them on a site by site or a tree by tree basis.
(7) Where it is considered necessary, a suitably qualified consultant may be engaged to provide formal advice and recommendations on tree related matters.
(8) Not applicable
(9) There are a number of suitably qualified and experienced tree management consultants in the private sector available to provide advice to the Department of Treasury and Finance - Building Management and Works, and to the Department of Education and Training. These include Arbor Logic, the Arbor Centre, the Tree Amigos Tree Surgeons, John Banks, Kennedy's Tree Service, Tree Aesthetics, and Specialised Tree Lopping.
(10) Yes, the Department of Education and Training is aware of concerns raised by members of the public. The incidence of tree removals recommended by any consultant is based on sound professional advice with the safety of site occupants being paramount. Over the last year 18 trees have been removed from school sites in metropolitan and regional locations. Of these two trees were removed as a result of an evaluation conducted by the consultant in question. Both trees were considered to be of high risk to students, staff and visitors to the sites.
(11) Concerns raised by members of the public are resolved on a case-by-case basis by Department officers.
Notice: This document is created or edited using unregistered or evaluation copy of rtLib valid for testing or development purposes only. To use it for productive or any other purposes please register it. You may purchase the license on
http://www.rtlib.com
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