Tree Planting on Private Land
The planting of trees on private land is critical to increasing urban tree canopy and achieving key objective of the Town's Urban Forest Strategy and Climate Emergency Plan.
Planning policies require the planting of trees on private land for both residential and non-residential development.
Tree Planting on Residential Land
The Residential Design Codes (R-Codes) provides planning and design provisions for residential development across Western Australia. The R-Codes include minimum requirements for trees and landscaping in all residential development.
More information on the R-Codes is available at Residential Design Codes (R Codes)
Tree Planting on Non-Residential Land
The Town’s Local Planning Policy 45 – Tree Planting for Non-Residential development prioritises the planting of tree on private land used for non-residential purposes.
Prioritising the planting of trees on private land developed for non-residential purposes has many benefits including:
- Enhancing neighbourhood amenity, character and sense of place
- Mitigating the urban heat island effect
- Reducing air pollution
- Improving groundwater quality and contributing to biodiversity and other environmental benefits.
FAQs for non-residential development
Where does the policy apply?
The policy applies to all development applications for new buildings developed for non-residential purposes, or additions to a non-residential development which increase the existing net floor area and with a value exceeding $200,000 but excluding those only involving a change of use or internal works.
How does the policy apply?
The policy details the minimum rate of trees to be provided in all non-residential development and design guidance for tree planting including requirements for tree growth zones.
What species of tree should I plant?
The Town has prepared a Preferred Tree Species List to assist developers, builders and homeowners with selection of trees that may be suitable for planting within private property, in accordance with the Town of Victoria Park Local Planning Policy 45 Tree Planting for Non-Residential Development.
What information is required in an application for development approval?
Please refer to the Application for Development Approval Checklist - Commercial to ensure all the required information is submitted as part of your application.
The following specific information related to trees should be included in all applications:
Site Feature Survey
- Details of all regulated trees
Proposed Site Plan
- Details of whether all regulated trees are proposed to be retained, removed or modified.
- Details of all medium trees and large trees to be planted.
- Details of all Tree Growth Zones
Justification letter or planning report
- Details of tree maintenance plans to adequately maintain the health of all newly planted trees for the first five summers.
- The recommendations of a suitably qualified landscape architect for any alternative design solution that varies any of the requirements contained in the policy
When is an Arborist Report required?
An Arborist Report and/or Structural Engineers report is required when an applicant is seeking to remove or undertake tree damaging activities to a regulated tree on the basis of the tree being unhealthy or unsafe and posing a threat to persons or property.
Qualified arborists can be found via the Arboricultural Association of Western Australia: FIND AN ARBORIST | ArbWest
Related Information