A tree preservation order is needed in Dubbo to ensure the environment is not overlooked in favour of development, says the Dubbo Environmental Group.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Councillor John Ryan has called on Dubbo Regional Council to look into the options and costs of implementing a tree preservation order in the local government area.
He said he had been approach by members of the community about such an order being established and wanted to get as much information as possible before the next steps were taken.
ALSO MAKING NEWS:
Dubbo Environmental Group's Margaret McDonald said the group had only just become aware no such policy existed at Dubbo Regional Council.
Dubbo City Council had a tree preservation order, however after the amalgamation it was replaced with the significant tree register.
"Many residents have expressed dismay at the random demolition of urban trees in the last decade. Some of these grand old trees have graced our streets for hundreds of years," she said.
"We have despaired for the wildlife and biodiversity which has been shabbily overlooked, often in the interests of infrastructure and business. We have experienced genuine grief and a sense of abandonment as citizens who care about their environment.
"Ratepayers would like council to consider everyone's needs as a matter of moral and ethical fairness."
Orange City Council has a tree preservation order. As do places like Wagga Wagga, Armidale and Albury.
The Orange City Council order says the measures "prohibit the pruning, cutting down, lopping, topping, ringbarking, removal or wilful destruction of any tree with a trunk size greater than 300mm at 1.4 height above ground level.".
It says "council encourages alternatives to tree removal at all times".
Approval for tree work has to first be granted by the council.
With as much as 70 per cent of all carbon stored in a tree captured in the last half of its life, Ms McDonald said for every large tree cut down thousands needed to be planted in its place to have the same carbon storage value in the next few decades.
She commended Cr Ryan for "his efforts to initiate a return to what we consider is of paramount importance".
On behalf of the Dubbo Environmental Group she asked for the support of all councillors in assessing the the value of a strong tree preservation policy.
The information about a possible tree preservation order will be presented at the October ordinary council meeting towards the end of the month.
Our journalists work hard to provide local, up-to-date news to the community. This is how you can continue to access our trusted content:
- Bookmark
- Make sure you are signed up for our breaking and regular headlines newsletters
- Follow us on Twitter
- Follow us on Instagram
- Follow us on Google News