Council tree removal request
Every tree in Hobsons Bay contributes to our urban forest and canopy cover. Hobsons Bay's canopy cover (shade from trees) was measured at only 7.5% in 2020 when Council endorsed its Urban Forest Strategy.
A healthy urban forest should have a minimum of 30% canopy cover in order to provide a healthy and comfortable environment for our community. The Urban Forest Strategy includes a target of 30% canopy cover to be achieved by 2040. We have planted thousands of trees in recent years, but we still have a long way to go in order to achieve 30% canopy cover.
A very important element in achieving the targets set out in the Urban Forest Strategy is protection of our established trees. Every tree is viewed as a valuable asset which supports the health and wellbeing of our community and environment.
We manage our trees according to the principles set out in the Tree Policy.
Trees will not be removed because of reasons including (but not limited to):
- personal preference
- perceived nuisance (e.g. leaf litter)
- limbs extending over private property
- to improve or maintain views
- a desire for parking space
- allergies, unless medical advice from a medical specialist in the field of allergies is provided, demonstrating the tree significantly diminishes the quality of life and there is no other way of managing the problem, or
- fauna living in trees.
Sometimes trees require removal due to declining health, disease or damage. To request an arboricultural assessment of a tree to determine if removal is required, please log a request through one of the below options.