Hundreds of trees at a bushland site in Canning Vale are set to receive formal protection under the City of Canning’s updated Significant Tree Register.
Council has unanimously supported an officer recommendation to adopt the updated register, which includes 329 significant trees growing on Lot 9006 (81) Ranford Road, as well as the first privately owned trees to be listed under the city’s revised policy.
The Ranford Road site contains Banksia woodland, which is classified as a threatened ecological community and forms part of a Bush Forever area. An independent arborist assessment identified the trees as meeting the city’s criteria for significance.
Cr Ben Kunze said the site was environmentally important and long overdue for formal recognition.
“The Ranford Road Bushland contains some of Canning’s last remaining Banksia Woodland, which is a threatened ecological community, and it is important that we protect it,” he said.
“It is remarkable that we have identified 329 Significant Trees on this site, which have been included onto our register to provide them with extra protection under Canning’s Local Planning Scheme.”
Some of the trees identified sit within the reservation for the proposed Jandakot Eastern Link Road, which remains in the State planning framework.
Cr Kunze said the process was intended to highlight the environmental consequences of future decisions.
“I pushed for this process because it’s important that staff and elected members know the consequences of their decisions, and with some still pushing for the construction of a major road through this sensitive environment, there is now more of a spotlight on what they will be clearing if they get their way,” he said.
The updated register also includes the first four trees on private property to be nominated and accepted under the city’s revised Significant Tree policy, adopted in July this year.
Under the revised policy, eligible private landholders can receive an annual $200 incentive payment per significant tree to encourage retention and ongoing care. Owners are also offered one independent arborist inspection with practical management recommendations.
Cr Kunze said the change marked a significant shift in how tree protection is approached.
“I am delighted that four significant trees on private land have been included on our significant tree register – this is something the City of Canning has not been able to achieve in the past,” he said.
“The new financial incentive scheme rewards those who wish to protect extraordinary trees on their property, which is very important as we live in a city that needs more trees.”
He encouraged residents with mature or significant trees to consider participating.
“There are many people out there who have mature or significant trees on their property, and I encourage residents to contact the city to enquire about registering your tree to receive an annual $200 payment,” he said.
“I believe it’s logical to invest into protecting what we have, rather than solely focusing on spending millions of dollars planting new trees in the hope they flourish in the future – we just need to get the message out to interested residents that they can potentially be paid to protect their significant tree.”
Mayor Patrick Hall said listing trees on the Significant Tree Register provides formal recognition and strengthens consideration of tree retention through its planning framework.
If infrastructure projects such as the Jandakot Eastern Link Road were to proceed in the future, decisions would still sit within the State planning and approvals process. However, the Mayor Hall said having trees independently assessed and listed ensures they are clearly identified and considered early in any future planning or impact assessments.
The mayor also confirmed that removing a registered significant tree without the required approvals would be a contravention of Council policy and the Local Planning Scheme, and penalties may apply.
Nominating a private tree is voluntary, with annual incentive payments linked to the tree being retained and remaining in reasonable condition, supported by a yearly check to confirm eligibility.
