DURING the Town of Bassendean’s May council meeting, councillors voted en bloc to approve amendments to their public tree policy, strengthening protections.

Council unanimously approved the amendments proposed for their street and reserve trees policy.

The town’s amendments were aimed to improve canopy cover above 2024 levels for roads and parks based on the state program, while progressing to the larger aim of 30 per cent tree canopy by 2040.

Council support for phasing in mandatory planting of trees on verges is now no longer bound to a specified year under the new amendment.

The amendment also follows on from a resolution made in April’s council meeting where the ratio for the replacement of removed trees has been increased, with the policy recognising juvenile and mature categories.

Juvenile trees which are defined as being planted within the last three years must be replaced by a minimum of two trees if removed.

Mature or established trees which are defined as being planted more than three years ago must be replaced by a minimum of three trees if removed.

The removal of dead trees has also been given a new clause in the policy which says, “the removal of dead trees or their retention for habitat will be based on consideration of risk, ecological benefits, location, amenity and canopy opportunity”.

The clause also specified that dead trees would be removed before the respective upcoming winter planting seasons if budget allowed.

The policy had also been changed from its current yearly review basis to once every two years, meaning the next policy review is set for 2028.

The decision comes after the council first considered increasing planting rations and minimum sizes for replacement trees at the end of 2025.

In Bassendean tree canopy policy to strengthen (Echo News, January 9) Town of Bassendean chief executive officer Cameron Woods said in December that the town didn’t want people to pick and choose whether or not they had a tree on the verge as that decision rested with the council.

The amended policy is not to be confused with Bassendean’s local planning policy (LPP) 13 tree retention and provision which protects trees on private properties.

LPP 13 was the policy that drove a $17,000 penalty which was imposed in the past year on a Town of Bassendean property owner after they removed a tree which was marked to be retained.

The penalty was handed down by the Magistrates Court with the owner also ordered to pay for the town’s legal fees.

According to the Town of Bassendean, they are the first local government in Perth to adopt the policy position and “are proud to be leading the way in protecting not just public trees, but those on private land too”.