FAQs

Q. Why develop a new strategy?

Warmer temperatures, reduced rainfall and an aging tree population mean a new approach to managing trees is required. Urban forestry is an integrated approach to the management of trees. It recognises that trees cannot be managed in isolation from other elements of the urban environment such as buildings, roads, footpaths and bike paths, utilities, open spaces and activity centres. Protecting heritage values and enhancing neighbourhood character also need to be taken into consideration when planting and maintaining trees in parks and open spaces.

Q. What is an urban forest?

An urban forest is the sum total of all trees and associated vegetation growing within an urban area.

The City of Port Phillip's urban forest is made up of:

- Front and backyard gardens

- Balcony gardens

- Rooftop gardens and green roofs

- Vertical gardens - vegetation growing up the walls of buildings and fences

- Street trees, shrubs and ground covers on nature strips, median strips and round-a-bouts

- Trees and gardens in public parks and reserves

- Trees and gardens in other open spaces - shopping strips, malls, etc

All of these green spaces form an urban forest that provides an essential balance to our highly urbanised environment and has a direct impact on residents and visitors daily lives, as well as on the liveability of the city in the long term.

Q. How do trees and the urban forest help the community?

The concept of an urban forest enables a united approach to the management of our green spaces by considering the role of the public and private trees and vegetation in regional planning and development.

One of the most basic functions of the urban forest (all of the trees and vegetation within Port Phillip) is to help cool our city by providing shade over our houes, roads and footpaths. Trees in the urban forest provide a whole range of social, cultural, economic and environmental benefits to the community. These benefits are listed on pages 10 and 11 of the draft strategy.

Q. What are the objectives of the draft strategy?

The draft strategy aims to achieve its vision for greening Port Phillip by setting out strategies to enhance the liveability of streets and neighbourhoods in Port Phillip, as well as undertaking works to protect and adapt street and park trees to changing climate conditions.

The objectives of the draft strategy are set out on page 4. The policy section, page 24-35 details specific policies and actions to address the following issues:

1. Tree protection

2. Tree planting and selection

3. Tree removal and replacement

4. Climate change adaptation

5. Tree root management

6. Tree asset management

7. Trees and the urban character

8. Community consultation and involvement

Q. How was the draft strategy developed?

The draft strategy was developed with technical input from TreeLogic and using the results of the extensive community consultation undertaken in 2009. The community reference group have played a key role in guiding the development of the draft strategy.

Q. How have the community been involved in this process?

Initial consultation with the community about the development of a new policy for managing trees occured between August and November 2009. Council interacted with the community using a variety of mediums, including a telephone, online and in person survey, two tree summits and a community reference group. The results of the consultations can be downloaded from this have your say page in the Library section.

Participation by the community in the various types of consultation is summariesd below.

- 380 telephone surveys

- 130 surveys completed on line or via councilor conversation tents

- 186 participants at two tree summits (Port Melbourne and St Kilda)

- Young people and children consulted at the South Port Youth Festival using video media

- Establishment of a Tree Policy Community Reference Group

Feedback and suggestions recieved through the Have Your Say page and via email and letters from the community on the draft strategy will be considered for incorporation into the final draft.

Q. What will council do with the feed back from this consultation?

Council will consider all submissions and feedback in the final document.

Q. How will the final strategy be used to help with tree management?

The Greening  Port Phillip Strategy will be a working document, meaning that Council officers will refer to the policies and actions in the strategy on an ongoing basis to guide all tree planting and management activities. 

The section titled Relationship to key council strategies and policies on page 20-23 describes how the draft strategy fits with the Council Plan and other key council strategies and plans. The flow diagram on page 21 shows the different components of the strategic tree management framework.

Q. When is the final draft going to be released?

The three week community consultation period closes on the 1st of June. Feedback and suggestions will be considered for inclusion and the final draft will go before council for adoption in early July. The adopted strategy will be available on the web for download after it has been adopted by council in July.