Have Your Say: Tree Management Policy & Yarriambiack Street & Reserve Tree Strategy – Proposed Changes for 2026/27 and Beyond
Help Shape the Tree Management Policy and Street and Reserve Tree Strategy
Yarriambiack Shire Council Tree Management Policy seeks to address the issues underlying the major areas of concern to residents:
- Tree planting,
- Tree pruning,
- Tree removal,
- Damage caused by trees.
The policy provides a framework to guide the routine aspects of public tree planning, tree selection and planting, tree maintenance and removal in the shire with the aim to increase the benefits provided by public trees in the urban landscape.
The Yarriambiack Street & Reserve Tree Strategy sets out a long-term vision for Council managed trees across the Shire. It highlights the value of trees and identifies opportunities to improve canopy cover in the seven key towns assessed as part of the strategy development.
Key elements of the Policy
The goal of tree management is based on an understanding of the dynamic nature of the resource, its aesthetic and safety requirements, public attitude and perception, and Council’s commitment to engaging and working with the community. All trees have a finite lifespan and eventually trees need to be removed and replaced. Council commits to the following:
- Council will manage public trees through the application of appropriate and timely scheduled works in response to changes in the environment, the community’s expectations and legislative requirements.
- Council will undertake tree management programs to increase canopy coverage, protect existing trees, promote public safety and tree health, implement cost effective enhancement and maintenance of the public trees, increase public awareness of the value of our trees, and maximize the social, economic, and environmental benefits of public trees for current residents and future generations.
- In an urban environment, some changes to the tree’s environment cannot be avoided. To ensure the continued health of our tree population and particularly mature trees, all efforts are made to minimise the extent of change and associated impacts on existing trees.
- Council will ensure that arboriculture best practice is used to deliver tree management programs or services.
The Tree Management Policy is a living document that will be updated regularly to reflect the changing environmental conditions, the introduction of new tree species, evolving community expectations, and advancements in industry standards and practices.
Key elements of the Yarriambiack Street & Reserve Tree Strategy
This Strategy outlines the value of trees and their importance to the towns of Yarriambiack. It provides guidance on how to establish healthy trees – overcoming the unique climatic, financial and physical constraints of the area – and supports appropriate species selection. It also sets a long-term vision for Council-owned and maintained trees across the Shire.
As part of the Strategy, a street typology approach was developed to classify street types in Yarriambiack towns. This allows for practical, implementable guidance on tree planting.
On-site assessments were conducted in seven key town across Yarriambiack to better understand the unique community characteristics and environmental, financial and cultural contexts of the area. The town assessed were:
- Warracknabeal,
- Beulah,
- Hopetoun,
- Murtoa,
- Minyip,
- Woomelang,
- Rupanyup.
The identification of specific planting opportunity locations, complemented by the overarching guidance provided through the street typology classification, will effectively support future tree management across Yarriambiack.
We Want Your Feedback!
Your feedback is important and vital for shaping our recommendations and decisions. Please review these proposals and let us know your thoughts:
- Does the proposed Policy cover the tree management needs of Council managed trees?
- Will the approach used in the Yarriambiack Street & Reserve Tree Strategy achieve the desired outcomes?
- Do you have suggestions for improving the Tree Management Policy or the Street & Reserve Tree Strategy?
Consultation closes 27 March 2026. Council will review all feedback and present final recommendations on 22 April 2026.
How to Have Your Say
You may access our Survey via Council’s website. If you would like a hard copy survey, please call our Customer Service team on 03 53 98 0100, or via email info@yarriambiack.vic.gov.au and we will send out a survey and reply-paid envelope.