FAQs

The primary point of the program is to create a long-term vision and strategy for the urban forest in each of the shire’s towns. This plan encompasses a vision for each town/street for at least the next 50 years. 

By developing individual Town Tree Plans, it allows each town’s character to be defined and to incorporate the community’s feedback at a town by town level. 

This plan isn’t just about the future, it about doing things now. The major plan objective is to plant a wide range and significant number of street trees throughout the towns over the next planting season (Autumn/Winter 2022) whilst removing only trees that genuinely need to be removed. Planting will fill in existing gaps and replace most removed trees.

This plan is not only about the short-term removal and/or replacement or wholesale replacement of trees. It is about the sustainable management of trees, creating a long-term vision and a commitment to sustainably manage and enhance the town’s the urban character. 

Only trees that are high risk, dead, dying, diseased and trees with only a short useful life expectancy will be removed. Some environmental weed species will also be recommended for removal.

"The best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago. The second best time is now" - CHINESE PROVERB.

Wellington Shire Council’s Open Space Plan 2014 – 2024 and Urban Forest Plan highlight the importance of having a long-term aim to create sustainable management plans for urban forests. Hence, it is an opportune time to develop these long-term visions for each town.

This is the sixth Town Tree Plan. The previous ones at Briagolong, Cowwarr, Seaspray, Yarram have worked extremely well. Further to this, Council have focused on the northern side of Heyfield over the previous two years, and this will complete all streets in Heyfield.. This method to street tree planting has some unique challenges that makes this a learning exercise for us which will improve outcomes across the shire as we roll out other Town Plans.

Town character is the ‘feel’ that a particular town gives residents or visitors, it comes from a range of sensory inputs, a major input is the streetscapes; trees are the most dominant feature of the streetscape. The town of Bright is a good example that most people can readily envisage. Imagine a Bright planted to eucalypts or conifers; whilst there is nothing wrong with such plantings, the current ambience would be completely different. 

The plan includes all streets in the southern section of Heyfield (south of Mary Street). 

The character of a town is derived from its major streets; the street tree plan has designated streets as primary and local. The primary streets are town entries and those carrying significant through traffic or leading to major destinations, whereas the secondary streets are those feeding local areas, and local streets are those primarily used by local access traffic only. 

Species selection is critical to developing and/or maintaining town character. Species selection depends on many factors including:

• Biological – soils, rainfall, wind, exposure, drainage (will the tree grow here?)
• Physical constraints- Powerlines, nature-strip width, road design, footpaths, etc 
• Tree Style/Character (what visual effect will this species have on the overall streetscape?)
• Biodiversity value (how much does this species add to the street tree biodiversity)

The intent of this plan is to strengthen diversity by allowing property owners to select species from a range of suitable trees (selected because they are already performing well in the town or are species we are reasonably confident will do well here).

These arguments are largely irrelevant, towns are contrived ecosystems and the choice of tree species should be based on the “What species” question above. Fundamentally the right tree in the right place.

Trees will only be removed if they are high risk (e.g., major structure faults), dead, dying, diseased or have a short life expectancy (not expected to last more than 10 years). In some instances, environmental weed species will also be recommended for removal. Healthy trees will be retained (except where they are considered highly invasive weeds species).

Remnant vegetation is important and protected by legislation, removal can and will be only undertaken in specific circumstances. This plan will also the highlight the need to protect and improve the growing conditions for remnant and heritage trees.

Trees and powerlines co-exist through all urban areas of the world, and largely when managed co-exist quite well. Location and species are important; some of the naturestrips in Heyfield are narrow a with powerlines dominating the space. In these cases, smaller or slower growing species have been selected. The plant lists have a list of trees suitable for near powerlines.

No, this plan is only concerned with streetscapes and not trees in private property.

Council’s arborist has undertaken an inspection of all of the trees, and the recommendation to remove is based on this inspection. We are happy to review any recommendation if you feel that there is a good reason to retain the tree. If we have identified a tree for removal on your nature strip and you feel there is a good reason to keep the tree please contact our Open Space Arborist Cameron McGregor, on 1300 366 244 or email enquiries@wellington.vic.gov.au 

The urban forest is critical to the health, well being and liveability of our communities. 

Council's plans and strategies all identify the need to increase the biodiversity and canopy cover of the urban forest. To achieve the desired target of 30% canopy cover, the aim is to plant trees at around 10 metres spacings where there are no powerlines, and 7 metre spacings where there are powerlines taking into account site constraints and existing property access. 

The Town Tree Plan provides ratepayers the opportunity to select which tree they would like out the front of their property, with the aim of having 100% of nature strips (where practicable) planted by 2022.   

Should we not hear back from property owners, then Council will proceed to select a tree suitable for the space.