Melbourne council proposes ban on tree pruning

In parts of Melbourne’s leafy SE, the right of residents to trim or lop trees growing on their own properties is facing the chop and to ensure that we increase artery canopy and it is essential that we actually have some local laws in place, the city of Glen Ira is proposing a ban on residents pruning or removing canopy trees in their own yards unless they have a council permit. A canopy tree is defined as one with a circumference of over 140 centimetres. And taller than five metres. We have an urban forest strategy as well as a climate emergency. Caulfield E resident Tamara supports tree preservation efforts on public and private land. I bought this house because of the tree. So I absolutely love the tree. However, she feels a little pruning here and there need not require authorisation. Of course I think you should be able to prune and maintain your tree to a certain extent as long as you’re not cutting it down. But the president of Council Watch says local government should keep out of people’s gardens. What we don’t want is a nanny state and this is what Glenn Ira are doing. The council is not intending to introduce a permit application fee, but any residents caught carrying out unauthorised. Pruning or lopping of trees in their own backyard may face a $2000 fine. The mayor says the Canopy Tree Law proposal is still in the consultation phase. No, it’s not set in stone that our training will be bad. Emily Rice 9 News.