Have Your Say: Protecting Trees on Private Land

The Town of Mosman Park community has consistently shown strong support for protecting and growing our tree canopy – with more than 70% of residents backing initiatives that increase tree cover across our Town. Protecting our urban forest is a shared effort between Council and the community, and together we can keep Mosman Park green, leafy, and liveable.

To strengthen tree protection on private land, the Town is proposing a new draft policy – Local Planning Policy No. 43 (LPP43) – Urban Greening: Tree Preservation on Private Property. This draft policy forms part of Scheme Amendment No. 12, which aims to preserve mature trees, promote cooling and shade, and support a healthier, more sustainable environment.

Why we’re proposing this policy

Trees are vital to Mosman Park’s character and climate resilience. They provide shade, improve air quality, enhance biodiversity, and contribute to the look and feel of our streets. LPP43 ensures that as our community grows, we continue to protect what makes Mosman Park so special.

We also understand that introducing a new policy may have an impact on residents, developers, and local businesses. That’s why we’re sharing the proposal openly and inviting feedback from individuals, community groups, and organisations. Your input will help shape Council’s decision before the policy is finalised.

What’s changing

The proposed approach replaces the former “Significant Tree Register,” which was never implemented and proved to be costly and ineffective in other areas. Instead, LPP43 introduces clear, practical guidelines to protect trees on private land.

Under the proposed policy:

Regulated Trees include any living tree that is:

• 8.0 metres or more in height, and/or
• has a canopy at least 6.0 metres wide, and/or
• has a trunk circumference of 1.5 metres or more (measured 1.4 metres from the ground), and
• is not listed as a weed species.

Tree Damaging Activities such as removal, severe pruning, or substantial damage to a regulated tree will require development approval.

Exemptions include maintenance pruning, urgent works for safety reasons, and removal of weed species or palms.

Applications will be assessed on factors such as tree health, contribution to the streetscape, and possible alternatives to removal.

Compliance measures will apply for unauthorised removal or damage.

A best-practice approach

LPP43 is based on the Western Australian Local Government Association (WALGA) model policy – a best-practice framework that promotes consistency across local governments in WA.

Community feedback and local data have strongly supported this approach:

• 70.2% of residents support increasing tree canopy cover
• 53.7% support planting more trees along Glyde Street
• 62.2% value leafy streets on Wellington Street

Have Your Say

We’re now seeking community feedback on the draft Local Planning Policy No. 43 – Urban Greening: Tree Preservation on Private Property.
Public consultation will be open for 42 days, and residents are invited to review the draft policy, ask questions, and share their thoughts through our online engagement portal.

View the draft policy, FAQs, and provide your feedback via the Town’s Your Say: yoursay.mosmanpark.wa.gov.au/urban-greening

Your feedback will help the Town refine and finalise this important policy to ensure our neighbourhoods remain green, shaded, and sustainable for generations to come.