Street Tree Planting

Wyndham is recognised as having one of the lowest tree populations out of all Victorian municipalities. This also means the lowest amount of shade or ‘canopy cover’.

Climate change is the greatest threat to the future of human civilisation. In 2019, the average state and national temperatures were already 1.05 and 1.52 degrees higher than normal respectively. Australia is today experiencing increased heatwaves, reduced rainfall, more intense storm events, and worsening bushfire seasons.

Heatwaves cause more deaths in Australia than the sum of deaths from all other natural disasters combined. Projections indicate that, barring significant global emission reductions, the annual number of days above 35°C is likely to increase from the nine days currently experienced in Melbourne to up to 21 days by 2070. Maximum temperatures are also forecast to increase. A recent study conducted by Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning (DELWP) and Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO) indicates that by 2100, in a worst-case scenario, maximum summer temperatures could increase by up to 5.3 degrees.

Whilst heatwaves can affect anybody, demographics show that some vulnerable segments of the population in Melbourne’s west are at high risk, with large proportions of very young (0-4 years old), older people (65+), as well as a high percentage of people with disabilities. 

Urban Heat Islands: Adding to the impact of heatwaves and increased average temperatures is the increasing urbanisation of Melbourne, which creates large numbers of hard surfaces in the form of buildings, roads and car parks. These hard surfaces generate artificial warmth, so-called urban heat islands (UHI), resulting in Melbourne’s urban areas having much higher temperatures than their rural surroundings. Melbourne’s west has a large percentage of hot spots that are more than 10°C warmer than non-urban conditions. Such heat islands can rapidly lead to tangible health impacts; Monash University research has shown that maximum temperatures need only exceed 29°C for heat-related death and illnesses to increase in people over 64 years of age.

Cooler local temperatures: Trees and vegetation provide a cooling effect by shading and evaporative cooling of the air. Whilst the benefits of shading are obvious, the value of evaporative cooling is not as widely known. It is achieved through evapotranspiration, the evaporation of water from within leaves. This is a very cost and energy efficient way to regulate outdoor air temperature and can provide significant relief to people during heatwaves.

Many areas within Wyndham are at risk during extreme heat events due to the lack of tree cover combined with the presence of many built surfaces (concrete, asphalt etc.).

The Street Tree Planting Program is intended to make Wyndham a more liveable city by keeping temperatures down, providing clean air and enhancing the beauty of our streets.

Aside from providing much needed shade and the associated cooling effects, you may be surprised by some of the other benefits that trees provide:

Cleaner air: Trees and vegetation in our streets absorb carbon dioxide and release oxygen, providing cleaner air to breathe as well as combating climate change. The presence of trees can significantly reduce street-level concentrations of pollutants by as much as 40% for nitrogen dioxide and 60% for particulate matter.

Higher property values and retail expenditure:

The green attractiveness of an area has significant impacts on the value of real estate. One study saw an investment in street trees increase the value of adjacent houses by 9 per cent. Similarly, consumers have been found to be willing to pay 12 per cent more in retail precincts with more street trees.

Reduced energy costs: Recent increases in residential electricity prices are largely due to investments made to cope with increased peak demand, and studies show that urban greening can reduce the load on utilities by lowering temperatures between 6 and 12 degrees. Urban greening can have significant effects on temperatures and energy use throughout a city, and local effects can be very drastic, with major savings on electricity as well as added protection of critical infrastructure from UV damage, thermal expansion and melting.

Increased vegetation for habitat: Many flora and fauna species in the west have been lost or are threatened due to urban growth and roadways, and whole ecosystems have been destroyed or fragmented. Planting native and indigenous species can improve natural habitat, promote biodiversity and create the migration corridors necessary to ensure the health of existing wildlife populations.

Urban greening for physical and mental health: Mental illness is Australia’s leading cause of nonfatal illness. One in three Australians will suffer from depression or an anxiety disorder at some point in their lives. Such conditions can be extremely debilitating and impact on a sufferer’s ability to engage with others, maintain steady employment and live a healthy, productive life.

A 2010 Beyond Blue research report investigating the benefits of contact with nature for mental health and wellbeing described a range of psychological benefits for people who visit green, open spaces, including:

• improvements in mood;
• lower levels of anxiety;
• lower levels of stress;
• lower levels of depression; and
• increased physical activity.

Council selects tree species that; have been shown to perform well in streets settings, are suitable for our unique soil and weather conditions and contribute to the environment and beauty of our city, with consideration to the below:

• Neighbourhood character (existing street tree species)
• The ability of the new tree to survive and adapt to climatic changes in the local environment
• The available planting space (nature strip size, road signs, light poles)
• Above and below ground services (power lines, electricity, gas, water, etc)

• Acacia implexa
• Acacia pendula
• Agonis flexuosa
• Allocasuarina verticillata
• Angophora costata
• Angophora hispida
• Arbutus unedo
• Auracaria heterophylla
• Banksia integrifolia
• Banksia marginata
• Brachychiton aceriffolius
• Callistemon 'Kings Park Special'
• Callistemon salignus
• Callistemon viminalis
• Celtis australis
• Cercis siliquastrum
• Corymbia citriodora
• Corymbia eximia "Nana'
• Corymbia ficifolia
• Corymbia maculate
• Cupaniopsis anacardiodes
• Eucalyptus albens
• Eucalyptus bauerian
• Eucalyptus camaldulensis
• Eucalyptus cladocalyx
• Eucalyptus forrestiana subsp.
• Eucalyptus leucoxylon
• Eucalyptus manifera
• Eucalyptus melliodora
• Eucalyptus occidentalis
• Eucalyptus polyanthemos
• Eucalyptus sideroxylon
• Eucalyptus torquata
• Ficus macrophylla
• Fraxinus pennsylvannica
• Geijera parvifolia
• Gingko biloba
• Gleditsia triacanthos
• Hakea buccelenta
• Hakea laurina
• Hymenosporum flavum
• Jacaranda mimosifolia
• Koelreutaria paniculata
• Lagerstroemia indic
• Lophostemon confertus
• Malus ioensis 'Plena'
• Melia azedarach Eli
• Olea europaea
• Pistacia chinensis
• Platanus x acerifol
• Prunus x blireana
• Pyrus calleryana
• Quercus cerris
• Quercus coccinea
• Schinus areira
• Ulmus parvifolia

Council provides all newly planted trees with regular watering and maintenance. The trees are planted with stakes and water wells to support their establishment which are then removed after approximately two years. Wyndham can be a tough place for a recently planted tree to thrive, especially in the warmer months of the year. The tree’s health and performance will be greatly improved by receiving one deep watering each week during periods of low rainfall. We ask for you to please consider this if you have the capacity.

Tips for caring for a new tree:

• Water regularly during dry periods, at least two buckets of water every week.
• Leave the stakes and water well in place
• Do not place grass or mulch at the base of the tree trunk (this will cause collar rot to occur)
• Do not prune or transplant the tree

Council aims to have 100% of suitable nature strips planted with a tree. Most nature strips be able to accommodate at least one tree.

Additional trees may be planted where space is available to do so.

The vandalism or removal of Council assets, including street trees, without Council approval, is an offence under Part 6, Clause 111 of the Community Amenity Local Law (2023). Where Council finds that a person has breached this local law, an infringement notice carrying a penalty of $576 per tree may be issued.  Council may also recover the costs associated with the replacement or repair of Council’s assets. 

Please report tree vandalism to Wyndham City Council on 1300 023 411.

Why more trees are being planted across Wyndham?

The Street Tree Planting Program is supported by targets set out in the City Forest and Habitat Strategy (2017-2040) and Resilient Wyndham 2021-2025.Council aims to increase tree canopy cover across Wyndham by planting one tree (or more) in every suitable nature strip to improve environmental and community benefits.

Wyndham has been identified as having one of the lowest tree cover rates in Victoria, leaving us vulnerable to issues like increased temperatures, energy costs, windy weather, and limited wildlife habitat.

Council recognises tree protection and canopy cover are important issues to the community. Council’s City Forest and Habitat Strategy (2017 – 2040) aims for Wyndham to be a vibrant living ecosystem with shade and green spaces that support healthy communities and resilient, connected, natural environments.

Trees provide many benefits to the community and environment, such as:

• Reducing energy costs for households by providing shade to homes
• Providing shade for roads, homes and pathways which makes our city more liveable
• Improving the look of the street (research has shown that more trees in a street can increase property value and reduce crime rates!)
• Improving the health and wellbeing of residents by providing green spaces
• Providing clean air by filtering pollutants
• Providing habitat corridors for wildlife and support for Wyndham’s ecosystems

Yes, Council ran extensive community consultation before adopting the Wyndham’s Tree and Urban Forest Policy 2021. The policies vision states Wyndham City will sustain and expand a healthy tree population that benefits the community and the environment, by valuing each tree as an integral part of an urban forest network.

Every November, Council sends postcards residents on streets that are expected to get new trees the following year. This postcard includes details on how to contact council to ask questions and discuss the current plan.

Council provides notification to residents in November each year where tree planting is planned for their street the following year. This is your opportunity to ask questions or raise any concerns you have with the planned trees. Requests need to be raised with our Customer Service on 1300 023 411 before December 16, when trees are ordered from the nursery.

Further communications are sent around February each year to residents where a tree is being planted in the nature strip adjacent to their specific residence. Please note once a tree is planted it will not be removed or changed for a different species.

If you have any queries about Street Tree Planting, you can contact our Customer Service Team on 1300 023 411.

Trees are planted between April and August each year, as weather is cooler and enough rain to ensure new trees get the best start. This enormous task is carried out by contractors who manage the coordination of planting 1000s of trees across Wyndham. Due to the size of this project, we cannot provide dates of when a specific tree will be planted.

Fruit trees are not included in the approved list for tree species for street tree planting due to high maintenance requirements and potential issues with fruit dropping onto pathways or roads.

Tree species are carefully chosen by tree experts (arborists). Species are selected to minimise potential risks to infrastructure, services, environmental health, and our community.

If you have questions regarding the species planned for your street, please call Customer Service on 1300 023 411beforeDecember 16. No changes can be made after this date.

In addition to Council’s regular care of trees, we encourage you to care for a new street tree by:

• Watering it, particularly during dry weather
• Leaving the stakes and water well in place
• Keeping grass cuttings and/or mulch away from the base of the tree trunk (covering the base can cause collar rot to occur)
• Not pruning, removing, or transplanting the tree
• Not damaging the tree with vehicles or by any other means (Council Local Laws prohibit intentional tree vandalism)

For more tips on caring for your new nature strip tree, view theCaring For Your New Nature Strip Tree Guide.

New street trees are an asset to our city and are planted in accordance with Wyndham’s City Forest and Habitat Strategy (2017-2040). For the management and suitable protection of trees, council refers to the Tree and Urban Forest Policy (2019).

Council provides notifications to residents where a tree is being planting in the nature strip, adjacent to their residence. Resident comments raised before December 16 are considered before final tree orders are sent to local nurseries. Once a tree has been planted it will not be removed or changed for a different species.

 Trees will not be removed once planted or due to (but not limited to) the following reasons:

• Personal preference;
• Perceived nuisance (for example, leaf litter);
• Limbs extending over private property;
• 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 (animals) living in trees.

If you are concerned a tree has not been planted to Council specification, please contact Customer Service on 1300 023 411.

The tree species are carefully selected by our tree experts to minimise damage risks to services and property. If you have concerns that a tree may be causing damage, please contact Customer Service on 1300 023 411 to request council investigate the potential issue.

Tree experts conduct detailed assessments and carefully select the location of trees in the nature strip to minimise potential safety hazards that may result from trees blocking visibility. Strict guidelines relating to how far away from crossovers (driveways), kerbs, poles, and services we can safely plant are followed.

If you think a tree is going to cause a future safety or access issue, please contact Customer Service on 1300 023 411 to discuss.

Council is responsible for maintaining the trees on the nature strip. We have a program to regularly inspect and maintain the health of our trees, including pruning trees so they do not become a safety hazard.

If a tree limb extends over your property, please contact Customer Service on 1300 023 411 or submit an online Customer Service Request, and we will send a tree expert to inspect the tree. This service is free of charge

Before you change (construct, extend, relocate) a crossover, please read the Crossover Guidelines Brochure. This outlines the conditions and requirements prior to submitting your Consent for Works application.

If you have already applied for a new crossover permit, this will be assessed as part of the planning process. If you notice a tree is to be planted over the proposed crossover, please Customer Service on 1300 023 411 to ensure the planned tree location is moved to a more suitable location.

If you are planning to change the crossover but have not yet applied for a permit, we encourage you to apply as soon as possible before the upcoming planting season.

The nature strip remains council land and there is always the potential that we may have to dig into the nature strip to access underground services or plant trees in accordance with Council’s City Forest and Habitat Strategy (2017 – 2040).

While nature strips are the responsibility of Wyndham City Council, residents are expected to maintain their nature strip by regular mowing and picking up litter. If thinking about landscaping your nature strip using gravel or mulch and approved plants, you must consider safe access for:

• pedestrians,
• postal deliveries,
• vehicles,
• kerbside parking, and
• rubbish collection.

You need to apply for a permit if you are planning to landscape the nature strip. Landscaping must comply with the Beautification of Nature Strips Policy (available in multiple languages). Also see the Nature Strips Landscaping Guidelines for further details. For help with applying for a permit contact Customer Service on 1300 023 411 or online with a Customer Service Request.

Council has a legal obligation to enforce the Victorian Road Rules, including those related to vehicles parking on nature strips. Under State law, parking fully or partially on nature strips, regardless of the intention, is illegal. You can be issued with a parking infringement from Police, VicRoads, and Council’s Authorised Officers if you park on a nature strip.

Vehicles parked on the nature strip:

• can cause major damage to public infrastructure, both above and below the ground;
• may prevent emergency services personnel from accessing key infrastructure such as water, sewage, gas, telecommunications, and drainage pipes;
• can pose increased safety risks for pedestrians as they are less visible to oncoming cars;
• restricts safe access for wheelchair and pram users.

Who is responsible for clearing the leaf litter on my property and the nature strip?

It is natural for trees to lose leaves. Residents are encouraged to clean-up leaf litter as part of their regular property and nature strip maintenance.

Green waste, such as leaf litter, can be disposed of in many ways. Fallen leaves can be used on garden beds as mulch or added to your garden compost. Alternatively, you can request a Green Bin or use one of your three free hard and green waste collections each year.

If maintaining your property is difficult due to age or ability, there are assistance programs available. To find out more visit our Support Services website, contact Customer Service on 1300 023 411 or complete the online Community Connector form.

Vandalism or removal of street trees is an offence under clause 14 of the Community Amenity Local Law (2015). Report any tree damage to Wyndham City Council on 1300 023 411 or via the Customer Service Portal.

Council will conduct regular maintenance and health-checks for each newly planted tree. Residents are encouraged to water the trees if you are able and report any tree damage to the council as soon as possible.

Vandalising or removing a street tree is an offence under clause 14 of the Community Amenity Local Law (2015). Report all tree damage to Wyndham City Council on 1300 023 411 or via the Customer Service Portal.