❓ Hon Lynn MacLaren questions the Minister for Planning about policies protecting mature trees and canopy in urban areas. The Minister outlines existing policies and ongoing reviews by the WAPC and local governments.
AnsweredQoN 622Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
WESTERN AUSTRALIAN PLANNING COMMISSION —
URBAN MATURE TREES ANDCANOPY GUIDELINES
622. Hon LYNN MacLAREN to the Minister
for Planning:
(1) What state
planning policies and guidelines, if any, exist to protect mature trees or tree
canopy in urban areas in Western Australia?
(2) Are any policies or guidelines
to protect mature trees and canopy in urban areas being developed?
(3) If no to (1) or (2), why not?
(4) Does the
minister agree that in WA there is currently an inadequate level of planning
protection for mature trees and canopy cover in our urban areas?
URBAN MATURE TREES ANDCANOPY GUIDELINES
622. Hon LYNN MacLAREN to the Minister
for Planning:
(1) What state
planning policies and guidelines, if any, exist to protect mature trees or tree
canopy in urban areas in Western Australia?
(2) Are any policies or guidelines
to protect mature trees and canopy in urban areas being developed?
(3) If no to (1) or (2), why not?
(4) Does the
minister agree that in WA there is currently an inadequate level of planning
protection for mature trees and canopy cover in our urban areas?
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the member for some notice
of the question.
(1)–(2) There
are a number of Western Australian Planning Commission policies, as well as
other government policies and legislation, that serve to protect significant
trees, the urban canopy and significant areas of bushland in urban areas. Some
of these instruments include targets, such as the retention of a minimum
percentage of certain types of bushland, but most relate to ensuring that those
areas deemed to be of significance are retained as part of future development
where possible. The metropolitan and Peel region schemes identify areas of
parks and recreation and regional open space that support significant remnant native
vegetation and biodiversity conservation and recreation.
The Bush Forever program is the key
WAPC policy and implementation framework for identifying and protecting
significant areas of urban bushland, while accommodating future urban growth
and development. The Western Australian Planning Commission is currently
reviewing its liveable neighbourhoods policy, which places emphasis on the
retention of remnant trees during land subdivision, particularly in proposed
public open spaces, and advocates the provision of street trees. This policy
provides the framework for structure planning and subdivision by developers.
Local governments are also
responsible for development standards and requirements and building approval on
lots, and have the power to incorporate tree retention and preservation
requirements into their local planning schemes. Many local governments also
have or are developing biodiversity strategies and urban forest strategies that
seek to protect mature trees and tree canopy.
(3) Not applicable.
(4) I refer the
member to my answer to parts (1) and (2), noting that the government recognises
the value of trees and the urban tree canopy to provide ecological, as well as
shade and broader amenity and health, benefits.
of the question.
(1)–(2) There
are a number of Western Australian Planning Commission policies, as well as
other government policies and legislation, that serve to protect significant
trees, the urban canopy and significant areas of bushland in urban areas. Some
of these instruments include targets, such as the retention of a minimum
percentage of certain types of bushland, but most relate to ensuring that those
areas deemed to be of significance are retained as part of future development
where possible. The metropolitan and Peel region schemes identify areas of
parks and recreation and regional open space that support significant remnant native
vegetation and biodiversity conservation and recreation.
The Bush Forever program is the key
WAPC policy and implementation framework for identifying and protecting
significant areas of urban bushland, while accommodating future urban growth
and development. The Western Australian Planning Commission is currently
reviewing its liveable neighbourhoods policy, which places emphasis on the
retention of remnant trees during land subdivision, particularly in proposed
public open spaces, and advocates the provision of street trees. This policy
provides the framework for structure planning and subdivision by developers.
Local governments are also
responsible for development standards and requirements and building approval on
lots, and have the power to incorporate tree retention and preservation
requirements into their local planning schemes. Many local governments also
have or are developing biodiversity strategies and urban forest strategies that
seek to protect mature trees and tree canopy.
(3) Not applicable.
(4) I refer the
member to my answer to parts (1) and (2), noting that the government recognises
the value of trees and the urban tree canopy to provide ecological, as well as
shade and broader amenity and health, benefits.
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