Tree Strategy – Keeping Unley Leafy for Future Generations

The purpose of this Tree Strategy is to ensure the City of Unley remains leafy for future generations through the retention and expansion of our urban forest. The Strategy aligns with the objectives of the City of Unley Community Plan 2033, the Environmental Sustainability Strategy and our community’s values and vision. It builds on the significant work already undertaken and currently underway within our boundaries that complement trees and support their role in our community. It is important to recognise the previous City of Unley Tree Strategy (2016-2019) was successful in outlining the value of our urban forest and challenges it faces with age, life expectancy, species diversity, competing resources and community expectations. This current Strategy builds on its past successes to meet new and changing priorities. The City currently has approximately 26,000 Council owned trees within an area of 14 square kilometres. These trees, (and those on private land), constitute an important element of the rich cultural heritage of Unley and are highly valued by the community on many levels. Trees complement our liveability and enhance our enjoyment of streets, open spaces and backyards by making our City more comfortable and pleasant for residents, businesses and visitors.
At times, trees can be identified as presenting potential risk to adjacent properties, causing nuisance, interfering with underground or above ground services or affecting personal safety (for example, by dropping nuts/berries/ branches or lifting paved walking surfaces). Like other assets, trees require effective and coordinated management in their planning, planting, establishment and ongoing care to maximise their benefits and minimise risks. This Strategy sets out a plan to manage trees in a strategic and balanced way to deliver on Council and community aspirations, and the future development of the City. It supports a clear, long-term vision towards the evolution of a sustainable urban forest, with an intention of being reviewed approximately every five years to meet changing priorities and incorporate new technologies and innovation. The Council is committed to nurturing, preserving, managing and developing trees as important community assets. Healthy, resilient, liveable cities feature vibrant urban forests. The term ‘urban forest’ is broadly defined as trees, shrubs and other vegetation in an urban setting. It focuses on the whole ‘community’ of vegetation, rather than the ‘individuals’, regardless of species origin (native or exotic), location (street, park, school or backyard), or ownership (private or public). Looking holistically at the urban forest and its ecosystem allows for better consideration of broad issues, like climate change, urban heat island effects and population growth.