Council is seeking community feedback on a plan to increase and preserve our tree canopy, ensuring it remains one of the largest tree canopies in Greater Sydney.

The Draft Northern Beaches Tree Canopy Plan proposes a range of measures including the protection of trees on public land, better monitoring of the tree canopy across the local government area, strengthening the local planning frameworks to support the retention, protection, replacement, and growth of private trees, and increasing community involvement in greening our communities.

“We have one of the largest tree canopies in Greater Sydney, but it faces range of pressures, challenges and threats,” Mayor Heins said.

“A healthy, protected tree canopy not only provides essential habitat for local wildlife, but it also improves the liveability of our communities and reduces the urban heat island effect.

“Council is committed to protecting and increasing our tree canopy on both on public and private land. We know many of our residents are as equally passionate about ensuring our green spaces are preserved, and we encourage everyone to have their say on our new plan.”

The plan includes a number of actions to be implemented, including:

  • continuing to plant 5,000 trees per year
  • conduct an audit of trees in priority areas
  • measure tree canopy cover every four years.
  • implement an iconic tree register for public land.
  • raise awareness about tree planting programs.
  • improve tree diversity and health.
  • strengthen the Local Environment Plan and Development Control Plans to focus on retention and protection of tree canopy.
  • continue to investigate and act upon unauthorised activities that impact on the tree canopy, such as illegal vegetation clearing, unauthorised recreational trails and other environmental damage.
  • promote the importance of retention and protection of trees as part of the development application and tree removal process.

Under the plan, the following areas will be prioritised for increasing their tree canopy cover: Brookvale, Dee Why, Mona Vale, Narrabeen, Manly, Manly Vale, Narraweena, Curl Curl Queenscliff, and Warriewood.

For more information about the draft plan or to have your say visit Your Say

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