CITY of Kalamunda council voted unanimously at their December ordinary meeting to support the preparation of a business case to establish a tree nursery in the city.

At the December 9 meeting, South East ward councillor David Modolo moved for the council to establish the business case and said the city was currently spending between $35,000 and $80,000 each year purchasing trees from external suppliers.

“We can expect that cost to rise as demand grows across the Perth metro area,” he said.

“Currently we are competing with other local governments, with government agencies, and with commercial buyers all for the same stock.

“As staff will attest to, the availability of certain species can be hit-and-miss.

“Some of the trees best suited to our local environment simply aren’t available when we need them, or not in the quantities required.

“Futhermore, the gold standard in environmental restoration is to source tree stock from as close to the source as possible.”

Cr Modolo said the business case did not commit the city to building a nursery but it was a first step so the city could equip itself with the proper information.

“Is it better, is it more reliable and is it more cost-effective for us to secure the stock we need?” he said.

“These are the questions that the business case will answer.

“A city nursery whether operated by us or in a joint venture or through a partnership might provide that better control over availability.

“It might save us long term, and it might even give us revenue generating opportunities if we choose to have the ability to sell to other local governments, government agencies and to the private industry.”

Cr Modolo said he also saw opportunities for community involvement.

“Getting the school kids involved, getting a senior hub involved to assist with the nursery can help engage and activate the community.

“We can’t know whether the benefits outweigh the negatives without proper analysis and this motion simply commissions that analysis.”

City of Kalamunda Mayor Margaret Thomas gave fellow South East ward councillor John Giardina a chance to speak as seconder, who said all that needed to be said was shared with council.

The council then voted to unanimously pass the motion for a business case to be developed for a City of Kalamunda tree nursery.