ENDING a two-year waiting period since the repeal of its previous tree protection policy, the City of Kalamunda council met this week to discuss considerations of its new Future Forest policy at its public agenda briefing forum on June 9.

The decision introduces a revised framework more than two years after council voted to scrap its original tree preservation guidelines, as reported in Applause as Kalamunda bins tree retention policy.

The decision to draft the new policy follows a February 2025 resolution to not adopt the Western Australian Local Government Association (WALGA) tree retention model, as reported in Kalamunda’s tree policy response a wakeup call.

The Future Forest policy drew substantial community engagement after going to a public comment window from August 29, last year.

A total of 148 submissions were received, including 79 objections, 51 in support, and 18 providing comment only.

Key themes raised in the public submissions included concerns over a lack of tree protection for mature trees, the scope of policy exemptions, and the application of replacement planting fees.

During the council meeting, several community members presented deputations to argue that the proposed framework falls short of adequately safeguarding Kalamunda’s unique environmental canopy.

Steve Gates, who spoke on behalf of the Nature Reserves Preservation Group, voiced the organisation’s strong objections.

“The updated Future Forest policy fails to address many issues raised in submissions such as we consider it inadequate for its assumed purpose,” he said.

“One of the main concerns is the exemption allowing tree removals on all private residential land.

“Our iconic majestic marris and jarrahs hundreds of years old will be left completely unprotected on residential land.

“This will diminish the amenity and identity so special to Kalamunda which the community has stated in numerous workshops and feedback over decades, which has been one of the main reasons they choose to live here.”

Kalamunda Mayor Margaret Thomas said the new framework reflects learnings from the implementation challenges of the former tree retention policy, with a stronger focus on clarity, workability, and balanced outcomes.

“The original policy placed a strong emphasis on tree retention, with feedback indicating this was at the expense of development and the needs of residents,” she said.

“While the draft Future Forest policy continues to encourage tree retention, it also strengthens and clarifies provisions to offset tree removal, ensuring canopy loss is progressively replaced over time.

“Following community consultation, several refinements have been incorporated, including a requirement for earlier tree tagging, the addition of ecological impact reporting, and wording changes to improve clarity and compliance.

“Community feedback also highlighted strong support for complementary measures such as increased community education and guidance on replacement planting, which will be progressed through the urban forest strategy and CEO-led initiatives.”

The Local Planning Policy 33: Future Forest is expected to go before council to be voted on later this month.