A WORKING party has recommended that the council invest more resources into street tree management and develop a clear policy governing maintenance and removal.
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Over the past six months the working party, comprising David Mullen, Wal Smart, Fred Rainger, Cr Bob Kirk and several council staff, has been pounding the pavement, observing Goulburn's trees.
Their feet tell them there are 12,000 in the city's streets.
Mr Mullen suggested the focus group be formed after rising anger about Essential Energy's pruning methods.
The working party was charged with reviewing the species, location and condition of Goulburn's trees and recommend strategies for their future management and replacement.
The group handed down its findings at a recent council meeting. Mr Mullen said Goulburn's current stock formed a great basis for future development of what was "essentially a city feature."
"(But) their management has been ad hoc and reactive," he said.
"There's a need for long term focus through an inventory and management plan."
The working party was not responsible for, nor did it have input into the removal of an avenue of plane trees in Bradley St in February or species taken out in Auburn St.
But it has developed a policy recommending a "conservative" approach to tree removal and factors to be considered before making that decision.
It also suggests community consultation where part or all of an avenue will be affected. The group also found:
- Many Claret Ashes are in an advanced state of decline, creating a safety hazard, as well as being "aesthetically unpleasant." Pruning or removal is needed;
- It's important to select appropriate species for a site. Eg. under powerlines;
- Many streets have significant gaps in plantings;
- Avenues that have had odd trees removed have not had them replaced. Eg. plane trees in Montague St between Auburn and Bourke Streets and in Goldsmith St;
- Tree pruning by power company contractors has generally been "excessive and without regard to the health and aesthetic shape of the trees."
- Engineering works have often unnecessarily impacted badly on the health of street trees.
- Scope exists to encourage larger properties with suitable space (eg. schools, parks, hospitals) to plant near their boundary to add value to the streetscape.
They have recommended the council invest in a computerised street tree management program, costing $6000. It records condition, pruning and inspections, enabling work to be scheduled according to priority. This way, more targeted planting could occur using a matching budget. Currently the council allocates $28,000 annually.
Mr Mullen believes the system can make for a dramatic improvement, tackling problems before they arise. Moreover, the working party is prepared to help with initial data capture.
But the council must also allocate more resources, recognising that street trees are an asset, the group recommends. Currently the council has three fulltime staff with a permanent truck and chipper.
In addition, they want a system introduced whereby engineering works, including power company prunings, are checked to minimise damage and "inappropriate shaping."
The working party also suggested enlisting local organisations to grow tree stock and to produce a heritage/significance register.
Mr Mullen said it was also important to encourage a culture within the council that valued street trees.
But prioritising was also essential, concentrating on high visibility areas like the city's entrances.
The working party argues some can do with a spruce-up.
"People's impressions are heavily influenced by a street's appearance so it's a great opportunity to show the city in a good light," Mr Mullen said.
Upper Bradley St, Goldsmith St, Coromandel St and northern Auburn St stood out as significant avenues.
Cr Kirk said there were good reasons to remove an avenue of trees in lower Bradley St, given that tree roots continually blocked stormwater pipes. The back-up affected not just Goulburn Mazda but surrounding structures, including St Clair.
Mr Mullen said while plane trees were not always inappropriate, many problems had occurred from "inappropriate plantings".
"There is no point having a liquid ambar under a powerline, for example," he said.
"More suitable species are pistachio, pears, bottlebrushes, Golden Ash and Crepe Myrtle trees," he said.
If there's one thing the working party is convinced of, it's that trees are important to people, beautify the city, boost civic pride, tourism and growth.
"We want council to see them as an asset and not an operational expense, look at the value they provide and when promoting the city, push them as one of our greatest features," Mr Smart said.
The group's suggested street tree policy and recommendations will go to a future council meeting.
