Inner West Greens councillors fear ‘tree massacre’ in policy change

A war of words has broken out over a Sydney council uprooting an environmental policy to make it easier for residents to remove trees close to their homes.

Inner West Council’s newly adopted tree policy is a “commonsense approach” for residents, an independent councillor says.

There are fears a “tree massacre” will cut into the Inner West’s already embattled environment after a controversial council policy change.

Inner West councillors have given the nod to allowing residents to prune or remove trees within 3m of an existing home or structure without council approval.

Independent Victor Macri led the last-minute changes to a draft policy, which would have seen greater restrictions on residents razing trees on their property.

Balmain East has a tree-canopy cover of between 16-25 per cent.

The amendments were adopted with the support of all Labor and Liberal councillors at the latest council meeting, but strongly opposed by the Greens.

“The Inner West Council has just granted permission for a tree massacre,” Greens councillor Colin Hesse said.

“These amendments will allow developers to tear down 50-year-old trees that have been protected by council up until now. Developers will be rubbing their hands together now protections for our trees are so weak.”

The uprooting of the council’s previous policy comes as latest government estimates paint a bleak picture of the Inner West’s tree-canopy cover, which stands at 18 per cent overall.

The three worst concrete-laden suburbs are Tempe, Sydenham and St Peters (0-10 per cent), followed by Marrickville, Dulwich Hill, Leichhardt, Croydon Park and Rozelle (11-15 per cent).

The suburb-by-suburb breakdown of tree cover in the Inner West. Map: Department of Planning and Environment

The likes of North Sydney (28.6 per cent), Parramatta (33 per cent), The Hills (50 per cent) and Pittwater (59 per cent) all have better tree cover — which is proven to reduce urban heat — than the Inner West.

Sydney’s worst area is Botany Bay (12.1 per cent).

Cr Macri yesterday defended his drive for a relaxing of the Inner West’s tree policy.

“We’re never going to get a better tree canopy unless we do something different. The previous policies clearly haven’t worked,” the Marrickville ward councillor said.

“The key part of this change is the 3m rule. And, realistically, a tree is not going to do well next to a structure or someone’s house.

“Giving people the ability to remove trees that are causing problems will encourage them to plant more trees in more suitable locations.

“Under the current controls, you can’t do that. You have to apply for a permit. And what we’re doing now is a commonsense approach.”

However, the Greens — including Balmain state MP Jamie Parker — now fear it will create a developers’ dream for the wholesale removal of trees.

“These amendments will destroy our local tree canopy, ripping down the trees that provide habitat for local wildlife and keep our suburbs cool,” Mr Parker said.

“In a highly dense area like the Inner West, allowing the unregulated removal of any tree within 3m of a structure pretty much allows the removal of every tree on private land.

“Most local councils in NSW are implementing ambitious canopy policies to increase wildlife habitat and reduce heat in the face of climate change. But in the Inner West, we’re going backwards.”

Cr Macri hit back, saying: “We planted more than 1000 trees over the past two years — and have given away thousands of trees at national tree-planting days, and where are all they going?

“Are the Greens telling me that we aren’t compensating for any loss?

“People are sick of governments telling them what to do on their property.”

In supporting Cr Macri’s amendments, Labor Mayor Darcy Byrne said: “Trees are vital but not more important than human beings.”

A Greens petition — with more than 1500 signatures so far — is under way to oppose council’s tree policy decision.

INNER WEST SUBURB TREE COVER

0-10 per cent: Tempe, Sydenham and St Peters

11-15 per cent: Marrickville, Dulwich Hill, Leichhardt, Croydon Park and Rozelle

16-25 per cent: Ashfield, Summer Hill, Haberfield, Lewisham, Petersham, Lilyfield, Stanmore, Annandale, Enmore, Newtown, Balmain, Balmain East and Birchgrove