UPDATE: Thursday 25 July 2024

The following recommendation, along with an interim report into the protection of Trees in the Bathurst LGA, was put to the 17 July 2024 Council meeting.   The recommendation was passed.  The Council report and the Interim Tree Report are included in the documents on this page.   

That Council note the Interim Report into the Protection of Trees within the Bathurst Regional Local Government Area and, subject to available budgets and resources:

1. consider an overarching position statement and long-term objective for tree protection as part of the preparation of the next Bathurst Community Strategic Plan;
2. commence an amendment to the Bathurst Regional Development Control Plan 2014 to:
   1. consolidate those parts that relate to Tree Policy, inclusive of sections 9.10 and 13.2, capturing the improvements identified in the Interim Report into the Protection of Trees within the Bathurst Regional Local Government Area; and
   2. revise the standards for development that might impact tree preservation, planting, and/or tree replacement, capturing the improvements identified in the Interim Report into the Protection of Trees within the Bathurst Regional Local Government Area Report;
3. investigate and consider the resource and budgetary implications of expanding the need for tree protection approvals in terms of the definition of a protected tree and the geographical area to which tree protection approvals would apply;
4. identify training opportunities for the Council’s planning staff in relation to landscape plans;
5. review the Council's actions as a land developer and manager to ensure all Council developments appropriately consider tree protection and that assessment processes are consistent with those processes that apply to private developments;
6. investigate the potential to establish a bio/tree offset scheme for relevant Council projects (similar to Wagga Wagga and Albury Councils);
7. consider developing Street Tree Masterplans and a Street Design Guideline capturing the opportunities identified in the Interim Report into the Protection of Trees within the Bathurst Regional Local Government Area; and
8. consider approaches such as greener places, urban forests, and micro forests as part of Councils long term planning including within the Council's open space strategy.

Council staff will now progress with the actions as outlined in the recommendation above.  This work will involve further community engagement. 

UPDATE: Tuesday 9 April 2024

The consultation was held on Friday 5 April.

The Workshop Objectives were;

• Familiarisation with Council regulations and responsibilities as they relate to tree protection.
• Familiarisation with Council responsibilities for operational and community land related to tree protection.
• Prioritisation of opportunities to improve tree protection.
• Identification of further community project involvement

37 people attended.

The documents to the right provide a copy of the presentation and speaker's notes. Each workshop's record and revised opportunities were identified.

Attendees who indicated a desire to participate further will be invited to a meeting to discuss a deeper role in policy formation. Should you wish to participate further, please email council@bathurst.nsw.gov.au or phone 02 6333 6211 by 15 May 2024.

Bathurst Regional Council still wants to hear your views about tree protection. To be entered to win a $200 buy local gift card, fill in the survey below.

You can provide your views online through a community survey and access further information through this website using the survey below. Please note that several fact sheets are on the right.

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To be entered to win a $200 buy local gift card, fill in the survey below.

Consultation will be held as follows:

Date: 5 April 2024

Venue: Bathurst Memorial Entertainment Centre

Time: 10 am – 12 pm

RSVP: This is essential. Please email council@bathurst.nsw.gov.au or phone 02 6333 6211 by 4 April 2024.

Alternatively, you can provide your views online through a community survey and access further information through this website using the below survey. Please note to the right a number of fact sheets.

In August 2023, the Council resolved to review the Protection of Trees within the Bathurst Regional Council Local Government Area. Council staff are examining the Council's current policies, controls, and practices. Staff have also reviewed several other Council practices.

This work has identified a range of opportunities for consideration in four areas. The full list is included to the right.

1. Improvements in Policy implementation
2. Improvements in Development Assessment
3. Improve rigors applied to Council actions as a land developer and manager and
4. Improve high-level, strategic tree-related work to better guide operational resources.

The Community Consultation seeks to identify and establish.

1. Community views on trees.
2. Community understanding of the Council’s role in tree preservation.
3. Key Community views and priorities on opportunities for tree preservation improvements.

These views will be considered in developing a draft policy / strategic response as described by the Council resolution.