Attachment A

1

Summary - response to Interim Report on street and park tree removals undertaken by TAMS under classification of ‘dangerous’ and ‘hazardous’ trees. Recommendations: Item Activity Agree Disagree Note Status 1 It is recommended that a tree replacement

policy for streets and parks be developed and adopted by TAMS.

����

A Tree Management Policy (TMP) for TAMS which includes policies for tree replacement and removal will be developed by 30 December 2010 and adopted following approval from the Minister for Territory and Municipal Services.

In-progress

2 It is recommended that the city-wide tree condition audit, currently being undertaken by TAMS, identifies opportunities for tree planting where ‘gaps’ exist and that tree planting occurs in these ‘gaps’, unless circumstances prohibit.

����

The city-wide tree condition audit will identify gaps where trees can be replaced.

In-progress Replacement planting will be conducted in line with TMP, as noted in recommendation 1 (above).

3 It is recommended that the terms ‘dangerous’ and ‘hazardous’ not be used to describe a category of trees. The communication to focus on distinguishing when a tree needs to be removed under ‘urgent circumstances’ versus ‘general’ tree removal.

����

����

The Tree Management Policy will include references to tree removal under ‘urgent circumstances’ and planned tree replacement programs

The TMP once approved by the CM will be on the TAMS website www.tams.gov.au

2

Item Activity Agree Disagree Note Status 4 It is recommended that TAMS tree

removal technical and administrative policies and procedures be strengthened by the following:

4.1 TAMS undertaking a sample audit of trees that consultants recommend for removal. This audit should be undertaken on-site by a qualified and experienced tree assessment officer from within TAMS. This audit should be documented.

����

Auditing of 5% (as a sample size) of ‘green’ trees that have been identified for removal by external contractors is underway. This approach will also be applied to trees that have been assessed by internal staff ie not removed under contract.

In-progress. A consistent method has been developed across PCL to determine when removal is required or if other pruning treatments can be used to improve the safety of the tree(s).

4.2 A senior officer being held accountable for the final decision for non-urgent tree removal of :

o ‘green trees’; o trees in heritage precincts; o dead trees in parks, which are of

potential value as a habitat tree; or o trees on the ACT Tree Register.

����

A senior officer will be made responsible for the final decision of removal of:

• green trees • trees in heritage precincts • dead trees in parks – potential habitat

value • trees on the ACT Tree Register.

(Note: OCSE recognise that ‘final decision’ in relation to trees on the ACT Tree Register means the decision to recommend/request removal from the Conservator for Flora and Fauna who is the statutory decision maker for removing trees listed on the ACT Tree register.)

In progress. The senior officer in charge of the Urban Tree Unit will be responsible for the final decision of removal of: -green trees -trees in heritage precincts -dead trees in parks – potential habitat value -trees on the ACT Tree Register.

4.3 Allowing a resident or public member, with respect to non-urgent tree removal, the opportunity to request that an Executive Officer undertake an internal reconsideration of a decision. The Executive Officer should give their decision in writing with reasons.

���� People seeking a reconsideration of the decision to remove a tree will be directed to Canberra Connect through signage placed on the tree (3 weeks prior to removal) and also through the TAMS website. Canberra Connect will pass the request to a senior officer in the tree team who will contact the community member with information about the tree. If the community member is still unhappy with this

In progress. Formal public notification of this undertaking will be included in the Tree Management Policy on the TAMS website in accordance with Recommendation 1.

3

Item Activity Agree Disagree Note Status decision, they will be directed to the website to lodge a formal request for a reconsideration of the decision. This information will be referred to an Executive Officer to initiate a review of the decision. A response provided in writing. The community member will need to lodge a formal request for a reconsideration no more than 2 weeks after the date displayed on the sign that is attached to the tree

4.4 TAMS undertaking a sample audit of removed trees to validate visual tree assessments and inform future assessments.

����

A sample audit of removed trees will be undertaken on 5% of green trees with defects. This information will be assessed to inform future assessments. Note: Declining trees such as those that are drought affected or have dieback, will not be included in the audit as the information gathered from those trees will be of limited value.

In-progress The sample audit will commence in mid June.

4.5 Markings on trees for assisting TAMS staff or contractors to locate trees being discrete with information communicating a tree removal occurring via a communication procedure and not by the prominence of a marking.

����

TAMS will test a new marking system for trees that require removal, away from the prominent dots to a combination of discrete tags attached to the tree and GPS coding. Signs will also be placed on the trees three (3) weeks prior to removal as noted in Recommendation 5

The new process for marking trees will be phased in from August 2010 after the current contract for dead and hazardous tree removal is complete.

4.6 Publishing the policies and procedures on the TAMS website as soon as possible and keeping them up to date with future changes.

����

Tree management policies will be developed by 30 December 2010 and made publically available on the TAMS website following approval by the Chief Minister/Minister for Territories and Municipal Services.

In-progress. Polices and procedures will be developed and made available on the TAMS website.

5 It is recommended that the TAMS tree (or group of trees) removal (and replacement) communication process be strengthened by the following:

This assessment will be available on request for green trees. It is will not automatically be provided as part of the notification process.

In progress for green and habitat trees.

4

Item Activity Agree Disagree Note Status 5.1 A tree assessment being made

available to a resident or member of the community on request.

���� The current tree assessment process applies to green trees. Individual assessments are not conducted on dead trees unless they are to be retained for habitat.

The amended TMP to be made available on the TAMS website.

5.2 Adopting as a minimum the following notification

i) Tree Removal (Urgent Circumstances) - Street Tree A standard notification letter/card delivered to the closest three residents adjacent to the verge where the tree will be removed and three properties opposite.

����

In urgent circumstances a standard notification letter/card will be delivered to the closest three residents adjacent to the verge where the tree will be removed, i.e. the two properties either side of this one and the tree properties opposite. This can potentially be a significant exercise where blocks of units are involved. While the Department will aim to deliver letters where possible, this may not always be practical during storm events.

In progress. Appendix B provides a copy of the notice. This letter will be improved to be in card format for ease of distribution.

ii) Tree Removal (Urgent Circumstances) - Park Tree Erect a sign in the park before or soon after the removal

����

Tree removal in urgent circumstances is normally carried out within 48 hours. While the Department will aim to erect signs where possible, this may not always be practical during storm events.

New arrangements will be implemented from 1st July.

iii) Tree Removal- Street Tree A standard notification letter/card delivered to the closest three residents on both sides of the street prior to removal, i.e the property adjacent to the verge where the tree will be removed, two properties either side of this one and three properties opposite.

����

The letter in Appendix C has been utilised for the dead and hazardous tree removal program.

In progress. Appendix C provides a copy of the notice. This letter will be developed to be a card format for ease of distribution.

iv) Tree Removal- Park Tree A sign placed on the tree in a position where it will be obvious to park users. In situations where several trees will be removed in a park, it might be necessary to consider placing a sign at the entrance to the park in addition to where the trees to be removed are located.

����

Appendix D provides a copy of the sign that has been used for the April- May 2010 tree removal program in parks

In progress – This will be updated based on feedback from the public.

v) Including in a Tree Notification

5

Item Activity Agree Disagree Note Status letter/card or on a Tree Notification sign for trees removed or to be removed, as a minimum information which:

o makes it obvious that the letter/card is official;

o states that the tree assessment was undertaken by a qualified tree assessor;

o gives the reasons why the tree is to be removed or was removed;

o states that the policy is for a replacement planting unless circumstances prohibit;

o provides a contact number where further information can be gained;

o gives the specific and direct website address for the policy and procedures covering the subject tree activities

���� ����

���� ���� ����

Appendix C provides a copy of the notification that has been in the used since April 2010 for tree removals. This letter will be updated to a card format for ease of distribution. Residents and community members will be directed to a specific page on the TAMS Tree Management Policy on the website once it is developed and agreed.

In-progress Expected completion date December 2010. Interim measures will be undertaken prior to the completion and approval of the TMP

6 It is recommended that TAMS tree assessors have an Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) Level 5 or Certificate 5 in Arboriculture or Horticulture with 5 years experience or proven equivalent skills.

����

Future employment agreements will stipulate minimum qualification levels and/or willingness to obtain these levels. Training will be offered on an on-going basis and included in performance management agreements.

In-progress. Assessment of training needs has been undertaken and a Diploma Level Course (AQF level 5) in Horticulture/ Arboriculture is due to commence in July 2010. This will be delivered locally by CIT.

7 It is recommended that the TAMS tree assessment form be modified to include information relating to :

• Retaining a tree, or part of a tree in a park, for habitat; and

• Replanting options.

����

The assessment form will be modified to include this information.

In-progress

Matthew Parker

Text Box

Attachment 3