We look after more than 4,750 street trees, as well as areas of vegetation planted within road reserves across the city and rural townships. Street tree planting and maintenance are carried out by approved contractors only.
Street tree needs pruning
Only approved arborists can carry out maintenance on street trees. We do not allow residents to prune or remove street trees. Please tell us if a street tree is a causing a problem such as:
- blocking footpath access
- creating a traffic safety issues
- being damaged or needs pruning.
Want to plant a new street tree?
You need our written approval to plant trees on street and road reserves. Only our approved contractors can plant and maintain street trees. If you would like a tree on your front verge, please contact us first.
Any digging in the road reserve (grass verge) requires an approved Corridor Access Request
When assessing street tree planting, we consider:
- the impact on neighbouring properties, now and in the future, including shading, loss of views, traffic visibility and potential root damage
- support from the local community
- suitable tree species for the site
- nearby utilities, including street lights, water, sewage and stormwater pipes and overhead or underground power, phone and gas services
- pedestrian and traffic visibility and activity (including access for collection trucks and road sweepers)
- ongoing maintenance requirements
Street tree maintenance
We do not top street trees unless they were planted before 1999 and pose a risk to overhead power lines.
Pollarding is not an accepted practice for street tree management. Where trees have been pollarded in the past, we'll continue this approach until the tree is replaced. This includes species such as London plane trees.
Before making decisions about street tree requests or complaints, we consider:
- tree health
- amenity value
- the effect of pruning or removal.
Any trees planted by residents in the road reserve become Council trees.
They will be maintained through the street tree maintenance programme, or removed if they are assessed as being unsuitable.
Residents will be notified before any tree is removed.
If a tree is removed, it will not be replaced unless the site meets our street tree planting guidelines.
See the criteria for replanting a tree.
We inspect street trees annually, or earlier if issues are reported and we carry out maintenance as needed.
This helps keep trees healthy and maintain safe clearance for vehicles on roads and for pedestrians on footpaths.
Each street tree is assigned a replanting reassessment year. If the tree is still healthy, it's retained and reassessed at a later date.
Trees assessed as being in poor health are scheduled for removal.
Planting a street tree in a new location
A street tree may not be suitable for every property. Some streetscapes may be better suited to a tree outside every second, third or fourth property or in some cases, no trees at all.
Factors such as road layout, nearby utilities and street orientation affect where trees can be planted. We do not plant street trees where there is no kerbed roadway or where the planting strip is less than 1.5m wide.
Street trees are maintained to meet clearance and safety requirements for transport use and nearby infrastructure. These constraints may prevent a tree from reaching its natural size and full maturity.
Our Street Trees Plan includes guidelines for safe planting distances. Trees are generally not planted:
- within 10m of an intersection (measured from the kerb)
- within 6m of power poles, street light or sign posts (measured from the centre of the pole)
- within 2m of a stormwater drain grate
- within 3m of a bus stop zone
- within 6m of a pedestrian crossing (measured from painted lines)
We do not plant street trees for commemorative purposes. Please contact us for more information.
The following trees are not suitable for street tree planting and will not be planted by Council:
- Phoenix canariensis (Canary Island date palm)
- Russian olive (Elaeagnus angustifolia)
- Rhus tree (Toxicodendron succedaneum
- Norfolk Island pine (Araucaria heterophylla)
- London plane (Platanus x acerifolia)
- Oleander (Nerium oleander)
Where a street tree has been removed, we will usually replant a new tree in a similar location, unless there is a valid reason not to.
A tree will not be replanted unless the site is suitable and meets our street tree planting guidelines. When deciding whether to replant a street tree, we consider:
- whether there are existing street trees in the street
- whether trees have previously been removed from the location
- the presence of underground and overhead utility services
- distance from intersections and vehicle crossings
- the existing street tree theme or species
- soil conditions
- street orientation
- whether the resident has previously requested planting
Council does not get involved with trees on private property.
Street trees and gardens plan
This plan provides the strategic direction for street trees and gardens in our district.
Read the street trees and gardens plan in the Community Facilities Strategy.
Q&As about street trees
Street trees and gardens improve the overall appeal and enjoyment of our neighbourhoods, urban spaces and provide a range of other benefits. Planting will generally occur between May and August during winter.
Street trees can:
- Define a neighbourhood’s character and strengthen local identity.
- Provide summer shade for the comfort of pedestrians and residents.
- Diminish traffic noise, screen unappealing views and reduce glare.
- Absorb heat, dissipate cold, filter air, and capture dust and allergens.
- Provide orientation within the city street network.
- Enhance property values as trees establish and mature.
- Provide seasonal interest and natural beauty through foliage, leaf patterns, flowers, bark, fruit and canopy.
- Offer a habitat and a food source for native birds.
The Street Trees and Gardens Plan recommends a range of species for each suburb. The plan is a start point used to select species for each street.
Trees are specifically selected for individual streets based on:
- The width of the verge to ensure the tree has enough space to grow.
- Aspect (direction in relation to the sun) of the verge (ie: to prevent shading buildings) in winter.
- Soil conditions.
- What growing well in the street already or in private properties.
- Species proven to work well as street trees (for example fast-growing, hardy easily maintained and no common maintenance or health and safety issues for example allergens (Rhuse tree), susceptible to dropping branches (Eucalyptus).
- Availability of tree stock.
- Previous community feedback about specific species.
Council aims to plant as many street trees as possible across the district. However, we recognise that some residents may have valid reasons for not wanting a tree on their verge. We will consider requests on a case-by-case basis.
Before requesting that a tree is not planted, please note:
- trees are carefully selected and positioned to avoid future issues, such as shading, interference with services or reduced visibility from driveways
- trees are small when planted (typically 1.5 to 2m tall) and generally take 15 to 20 years to grow large enough for any potential issues to arise
- street trees typically have a lifespan of around 17 to 28 years
- Council is responsible for maintaining street trees.
We aim to plant as many native street trees as possible. However, we recognise that they aren't always the best option for every location.
All tree species are carefully selected to ensure the right tree is planted in the right place. this helps trees thrive while minimising potential issues for both property owners and Council.
There is often only space for one tree per property due to berm size and required setbacks from driveways, intersections and underground services.
If you would like to plant a second tree on your verge, please contact us.
We generally only plant one tree per property. However, some properties have larger road frontages that can accommodate more than one tree.
In these cases, we may plant additional trees to maintain consistency along the street, avoid gaps and create a continuous tree-lined effect.
We have a contract for street tree maintenance.
Generally the contractor who plants the trees will be tasked with their maintenance during the establishment phase over the first 2 to 3 years. Then maintenance will be included in an annual scheduled maintenance programme.
We ask that property owners or the public don't prune street trees, regardless of expertise or experience.
Street tree pruning is a specialist task included in tree establishment and scheduled maintenance contracts by qualified arborists. This is to ensure the tree health and reduce future tree related issues.
No, as new trees like a dry trunk dry and moist roots.
Mulch or grass clippings piled up against the trunk promotes moisture that causes bark rot.
There are some simple things you can do to help your street tree grow and stay healthy:
- water it during hot, dry weather (a bucket is usually enough)
- apply mulch around the base tree in a 'doughnut' shape, not piled against the trunk
- avoid spraying weed killer on the mulch or around the base of the tree
- take care not to damage the trunk with weed eaters or lawnmowers.