Council Policies
We are in the process of creating a list of Victorian shire and city council policies on non-native roadside fruit trees.
wellington shire's policy
Congratulations to Wellington Shire!
Wellington Shire's website states: 'We are responsible for the management of large amounts of land that forms our roadsides and road reserves. Our responsibilities include:
Contact them to ask about their policy on roadside apple trees and other fruit trees. Ask them if they are aware that
Email: [email protected] 70 Foster Street (PO BOX 506), Sale VIC 3850 Operating Hours: Monday to Friday 8.30am - 5.00pm Yarram Service Centre Telephone: (03) 5182 5100 Fax: (03) 5182 6264 156 Grant Street, Yarram VIC 3971 Operating Hours: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday 10.00am - 2.00pm (Closed Wednesday) National Relay Service If you are deaf, or have a hearing impairment or speech impairment, you may contact us through the National Relay Service.
hepburn shire's policy
Progressive and forward-thinking, Hepburn Shire values 'remnant vegetation' and 'significant flora', and their Roadside Management Plan makes it clear they do not destroy fruit trees.
nillumbik shire council's policy
Nillumbik Shire Council Roadside Management Plan 2012
APPENDIX 9. COUNCIL ENVIRONMENTAL WEEDS LIST 'Prunus cerasifera -Cherry Plum' APPENDIX 10. WEEDS POSING SIGNIFICANT RISKS WITHIN NILLUMBIK 'Prunus spp.' All members of the genus 'Prunus' - ie all plums. 2 SITE OPERATIONS Guidelines B. Construction and maintenance 'Where possible, weeds should be removed from site and disposed of. ' '3.4 Vegetation and fire management Guidelines Where possible fuel reduction works should target reduction in exotic rather than indigenous flora, particularly addressing exotic pasture grasses and woody weeds.' In short, Nillumbik Shire Council considers wild plums and wild cherry plums to be weeds that ought to be removed. There is no mention in this policy of the genus Malus (apples), however, and it is to be hoped that these are exempt from the threat of destruction. Nillumbik Shire Council wishes to reduce fire risk by reducing non-native vegetation such as plum trees ('woody weeds'), whose broad, moisture-filled leaves are fire retardant and also provide a fast-rotting, moist mulch. Simultaneously the council wishes to reduce fire risk by encouraging the growth of indigenous vegetation such as highly flammable eucalypts, whose fallen leaves lie whole and un-rotted on the ground for years, filled with volatile oils; the perfect kindling for bushfires. Contact Nillumbik Shire Council Nillumbik Shire Council Administration Offices Civic Drive Greensborough, 3088, Victoria Ph: 9433 3111 Fax: 9433 3777 Make an online enquiry or email [email protected] south gippsland shire's policy
South Gippsland Shire's roadside management policy includes the removal of weeds. Fruit trees, however, are not numbered among weeds, as far as we can tell. Contact South Gippsland Shire and ask them about their policy on Roadside Fruit Trees.
South Gippsland Shire Council Private Bag 4, Leongatha Vic 3953 9 Smith Street, Leongatha Vic 3953 DX 94026, Leongatha Tel: (03) 5662 9200 Fax: (03) 5662 3754 Email: [email protected] Web: www.southgippsland.vic.gov.au Business Hours: 8.30 am - 5.00 pm Monday to Friday |
city of latrobe's policy
Congratulations to the City of Latrobe!
Currently, pending a review, the City of LaTrobe's policy is that fruit trees on the roadsides in the shire will no longer be cut down unless they are a safety hazard. Let's give a vote of thanks to LaTrobe Shire for listening to its residents! shire of macedon ranges' policy
The Shire of Macedon Ranges has an active policy of destroying roadside fruit trees.
From their list of 'weeds': PLUM AND APPLE TREES *Prunus and Malus species DESCRIPTION: Although an attractive garden and orchard tree, apple and plum trees can invade bushland and roadside reserves. Plums – (prunus) Deciduous tree with paddle shaped leaves and white 5 petalled flowers in spring. Soft edible fruit. Apples – (malus) Deciduous tree with rounded or heart shaped leaves and white or pink flowers in spring. Edible fruit. DISPERSAL: Plum and apple trees can invade bushland and roadside areas. Seed is spread by birds and humans, for example by throwing away apple cores. CLASSIFICATION: Port Phillip - Environmental Weed North Central - Environmental Weed Goulburn-Broken - Environmental Weed CONTROL TECHNIQUES: Manual removal, cut and paint with lethal chemicals. CONTACT THE SHIRE OF MACEDON RANGES AND ASK THEM TO URGENTLY REVIEW THEIR POLICY. Phone (03) 5422 0333 Email [email protected] In person—Office locations Gisborne 40 Robertson Street, Gisborne (opposite the police station) Monday–Friday, 8.30am–5pm Kyneton 129 Mollison Street, Kyneton Monday–Friday, 8.30am–5pm Romsey 96–100 Main St, Romsey Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday, 9.30am–5pm. Thursday, 9.30am–6pm. Saturday (library only), 9.30am–12.30pm Woodend Corner Forest and High streets, Woodend Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday, 9.30am–5pm Wednesday, 9.30am–6pm Saturday (library only), 9.30am–12.30pm east gippsland shire's policy
East Gippsland Shire's Roadside Vegetation Policy 2012 states that
'Vegetation Protection Overlays (VPO) aim to: • Protect areas of significant vegetation. • Ensure that development minimises loss of vegetation. • Preserve existing trees and other vegetation. • Recognise vegetation protection areas as locations of special significance, natural beauty, interest and importance. • Maintain and enhance habitat and habitat corridors for indigenous fauna. • Encourage the regeneration of native vegetation.' We hope this means that the shire recognises that wild fruit trees are vegetation of special significance, natural beauty, interest and importance. Ask your shire councillors to clarify the position on roadside fruit trees. Contact Council All Hours: (03) 5153 9500 (Calls after hours are redirected to the Emergency Duty Officer) Postal Address: PO Box 1618, Bairnsdale, Vic 3875 Telephone: (03) 5153 9500 Residents’ Information Line: 1300 555 886 National Relay Service: 133 677 Facsimile: (03) 5153 9576 Email: [email protected] Twitter: @egsc city of ballarat's policy
City of Ballarat Roadside Management Plan
According to this policy, 'The objectives of roadside management planning are to protect roadside flora and fauna biodiversity, heritage and landscape values, without compromising other essential functions of roadsides, namely road safety, fire management and the provision of utilities and service.' 'The roadside management plan should aim to meet the following objectives: • protect and restore indigenous vegetation communities • protect rare, significant or vulnerable species • maintain and enhance flora values • prevent further land degradation and improve water quality • prevent the spread of weeds • maintain and enhance visual and landscape qualities • protect cultural and heritage values • minimise fire risk.' Ballarat's Roadside Management plan states: 'Native vegetation as a general rule is usually harder, rougher and has smaller leaves (known as “sclerophyllous” vegetation). Exotic vegetation is generally softer (more lush) and has larger leaves (or is leafier).' The sclerophyllous vegetation that Ballarat wishes to encourage is a high fire risk; these are plants which need to attract fire if they are to procreate. the 'lush' and 'leafy' non-native trees they are removing from roadsides are fire-retardant. Contact Ballarat City Council City of Ballarat PO Box 655 Ballarat, Victoria, Australia. 3353 P: +61 3 5320 5500 [email protected] baw baw shire's policy
Baw Baw Shire's Roadside vegetation Management Policy states that 'The issue of managing invasive plants (weeds) and animals (pest animals) on the roadsides is principally governed by the Catchment and Land Protection Act 1994, but also affected by the Road Management Act and the Local Government Act. Legal advice received by State and local Government Departments states that the responsibility may vary according to the category of the pest and the status of the road.
'A Roadside Weeds and Pests Working Party was established in 2011 to work on this issue.' Their list of weeds includes all trees in the genus Prunus - which means they consider all plum, cherry-plum, cherry, almond trees etc to be weeds. Apple trees are not on their weed list, however their position on roadside apple trees is unclear. We urge residents to contact the Baw Baw Shire council and ask them. Postal address Baw Baw Shire Council PO Box 304 Warragul VIC 3820 Phone: +61 3 5624 2411 Fax: +61 3 5622 3654 Email: [email protected] Customer Service Centre Locations Civic Centre 1 Civic Place, Warragul Fax: +61 3 5622 3654 Office hours: 8.30am to 5.00pm, Monday to Friday. Warragul Customer Service Centre 61 Smith Street, Warragul Fax: +61 3 5622 2287 Office hours: 8.30am to 5.00pm, Monday to Friday. Trafalgar Customer Service Centre Baw Baw Technology Centre, 107 Princes Highway, Trafalgar Fax: +61 3 5633 1945 Office hours: 9.00am to 12.30pm and 1.15pm to 3.30pm, Monday to Friday. |