Georges River Council's Significant Tree Register

Update

Council at its meeting on Monday 18 December 2023 adopted 257 trees at 16 sites to be included on the Register of Significant Trees to better recognise and protect our local trees of visual, botanical, ecological and historical, commemorative, cultural or social significance.

All trees in the Georges River Council area are valued and currently protected under State Environmental Planning Policy (Biodiversity and Conservation) 2021 and Council's Tree Management Policy.

The list of trees on the register can be accessed on Council’s Significant Tree Register webpage.

Council is implementing a Register of Significant Trees to better recognise and protect our local trees of visual, botanical, ecological and historical, commemorative, cultural or social significance.

Members of the public can nominate either trees on public land (Council owned or managed) or private land. To be considered on the Register, a tree must meet a minimum of two sub-criteria within one category of the significant tree assessment criteria.

All trees in the Georges River Council area are valued and currently protected under State Environmental Planning Policy (Biodiversity and Conservation) 2021 and Council's Tree Management Policy 2019. Nominations of significant trees as part of this consultation process should not undermine the unique values of significant trees compared with all other trees in the local government area.

It is unlikely that a tree nominated within a core bushland area will be added to the significant tree register, as trees in these areas are naturally protected and less prone to impacts from the urban environment. The definition of a significant tree in Georges River Council is outlined below.

Council has defined a significant tree to be:

A tree deemed significant in accordance with the defined categories of significance including; visual/aesthetic significance, botanic/scientific significance, ecological significance and historical, commemorative, cultural or social significance.

Councils significant tree assessment criteria includes:

a) Visual / Aesthetic significance

b) Botanic / Scientific significance

c) Ecological significance

d) Historical, Commemorative, Cultural or Social significance

A detailed summary of each of the Significant Tree Register Assessment Criteria can be found in the related documents.

Summary of Assessment Process

For trees to be considered for inclusion on the Significant Tree Register, it must satisfy a minimum of two (2) sub-criteria within one category of criteria.

For example, the Moreton Bay Fig located at Water Street, Sans Souci would be an appropriate nomination as it meets a minimum of two sub-criteria under the following criteria:

Visual / Aesthetic Significance:

a) Trees that are outstanding for their height, trunk circumference or canopy spread; and

b) Occur in a prominent location (such as civic spaces or reserves);

c) Contribute significantly to the landscape in which they grow [including streetscapes, parks, gardens or natural landscapes];

Where it is believed that the tree may meet a number of criteria, these can be included in the nomination to assist with the assessment of the Significant Tree. For instance, the Moreton Bay Fig used as an example above would also meet one of the sub-criteria under Social Significance:

d) Have local significance and are important to the local community and/or are recognised features of the immediate landscape.

Moreton Bay Fig (Ficus macrophylla), located at Water Street, Sans Souci

Following the nomination period, tree nominations will be reviewed by Council staff to ensure all information has been provided correctly and meets the eligibility requirements. Then each significant tree nomination will be thoroughly assessed by an independent qualified consultant against the assessment criteria.

This process will initially involve a desktop-based analysis of the nomination, taking into consideration all available resources including a detailed review of provided photography as well as street and aerial imagery. Where further information is required to satisfy the criteria, an on-site Visual Tree Assessment (VTA) may be carried out by inspecting the tree.

Part of this assessment includes:

1. Assessment of each tree and species in relation to its natural occurrence
2. Research of the cultural history, when relevant, through reports, photographs, archival material and oral evidence
3. Evaluation of the collected data on the basis of each tree’s contextual relationship to other similar trees and its relative importance.

In certain instances, sub-consultants may need to be engaged to assist with the assessment by providing further specialist information for trees which are deemed to have either Ecological Significance or Historical, Commemorative, Cultural or Social Significance.

It is anticipated that a report will be provided for Councils consideration, detailing the outcome of this public consultation and recommending eligible trees to be added to a significant tree register later in 2023.

Following Councils endorsement of the Significant Tree Register, it is proposed that the Significant Tree Register will be managed in accordance with Councils Tree Management Policy 2019.

This means works to any trees endorsed as significant will be reviewed by the Director of Assets and Infrastructure following recommendation from Councils senior staff.

Exclusions from the Significant Tree Register

Trees which feature one or more of the following characteristics will generally not be considered appropriate for inclusion on the Register (subject to further assessment):

• Trees which are classified as dead, dying or which feature an unacceptable level of risk to human life or property;
• Trees which are assessed to have a ‘Very Short’ (<5 years) Useful Life Expectancy;
• Trees of a species listed as undesirable under Section 2.4 of the Georges River Tree Management Policy 2019;
• Any commercial or domestic tree grown for the purpose of fruit or fodder production except for native species such as Macadamia (Macadamia integrifolia), Lilly Pilly (Acmena spp, Syzygium spp.), Blueberry Ash (Elaeocarpus spp);
• Trees recognised in Appendix 1 and 2 Priority weeds for the Greater Sydney Regional Strategic Weed Management Plan under the Biosecurity Act 2015.

Important Information (must be read before nominating)

• By nominating a tree on private property, the land owners understand that if the tree is successfully added onto the Significant Tree Register, the trees location and information may be publicly viewable on Councils website and neighborhood map.
• Nominations for a tree on private land that are located within apartments, townhouses and mixed land use requires approval from the land owner (joint ownership requires approval from all parties) or owners corporation where appropriate.
• The significant tree will appear on any future section 10.7 Part 5 planning certificate for the property.
• Council may reject a nomination if there is insufficient information provided, restricting the ability to undertake an assessment. However, Council will in its best efforts seek additional information.
• Significant Trees listed on the register will be managed in accordance with the Georges River Tree Management Policy 2019.

How do I nominate a significant tree?

There are two methods for the nomination of a significant tree depending on where it is located within the local government area:

Private trees - Please use the survey form for the nomination of trees on private land.

Public trees - Please use the Map for the nomination of trees on public land.