Record number of verge trees to be planted across the City this year
Changes to the City’s Urban Trees Policy have resulted in a significant increase in the number of residential verge trees to be planted this winter planting season.
Changes to the City’s Urban Trees Policy in December last year have resulted in a significant increase in the number of residential verge trees to be planted this winter planting season.
During the Council meeting on 28 June, Mayor Filomena Piffaretti tabled new data confirming changes to the Urban Tree Policy made back in December 2021 have resulted in more street trees.
“Recent changes to the City’s Urban Tree Policy allowed residents to decide if they wanted a tree to be planted on their verge.
“The City wrote to residents explaining the benefits of trees and gave them options on the different species they could select. We understand there are a range of reasons why residents may choose not to have a verge tree but we are keen to hear from those who are. I was very pleased with the overwhelming response we had from residents. So far this year 1,081 trees have been requested from residents who have contacted the City,” Mayor Piffaretti said.
“New data shows the number of trees planted by the City on residential verges was 190 in 2019, 590 in 2020 and 624 in 2021. So this represents a 73% increase in the number of verge trees to be planted on residential streets this year, compared to last.
“The data shows that by Council embracing change and doing things differently we can achieve a better outcome.
“Switching from an inflexible policy to one that is more customer focused and less punitive has definitely paid off.
“This year we will see the highest number of verge trees planted in the City in our recent history.
“I am confident that further refinements made to the Tree Policy adopted by Council last night will ensure more trees are planted every year because the Policy caters for everyone.
“The changes include a common sense approach to pruning; where residents are empowered to maintain their own verge trees. Residents will still have the option to request that a street tree not be planted on their verge.”