KALAMUNDA’s tree retention policy, which was scrapped in 2024, was back in discussion as a motion was moved to adopt WALGA’s tree retention model at the annual general electors meeting.

Kalamunda resident Michelle Bunn moved to adopt the WA Local Government Association’s (WALGA) tree canopy protection model in a motion at the meeting.

“Almost 12 months ago, six of the nine councillors voted to revoke the city’s local planning policy, LPP 33 – tree retention,” she said.

“This policy had been developed over at least three years of extensive consultation with rate payers, business owners, industry representatives, and other government agencies.

The tree retention policy was introduced in December 2022 and was in place for a little over a year before being scrapped as reported in Applause as Kalamunda bins tree retention policy.

Dr Bunn said several deputees on the night the tree retention policy was scrapped expressed concerns about the impact of revocation.

“And in response, councillors highlighted that trees would still be protected as ‘works’ under the existing planning framework,” she said.

“Councillors assured the meeting they remained committed to protecting trees, and that the policy would be replaced quickly because WALGA was, and I quote, ‘finalising a template policy which we can implement within weeks’.

“WALGA’s tree retention model was finalised just a couple of weeks later.

“I checked with WALGA last week – 10 local government authorities have already adopted it or are in the process of doing so.

“And yet, here we are tonight in Kalamunda, our supposed home in the forest not weeks later, but almost a year and no action has been taken to fulfil council’s promise to adopt WALGA’s tree protection model.”

Dr Bunn said the existing city strategy relied on the single sentence direction of applications for development approval to consider “whether any trees or other vegetation on the land should be preserved”.

“I really pity the staff who have to use this one sentence to undertake the process when the extensive guidelines they had in LPP 33 were considered to be inadequate,” she said.

“But of course, in addition to these state regulations, the city has its own strategies to assist in considering tree protection factors.”

Dr Bunn said the annual report’s strategies referred to LPP 33 but was confused how the strategies could be effective in maintaining environmental standards when they relied on a city policy that no longer existed.

“So, I can only conclude it’s obvious that the city’s remaining tools for tree retention and decision-making are inadequate.

“Tonight, I call on you to honour your promise and therefore I move that the Kalamunda city council instructs the CEO to immediately take action to adopt WALGA’s tree retention model with the intent for it to go before council by June 24, 2025.”

Fellow resident Janelle Sewell seconded the motion and it was carried unanimously.