Tree species at Budgewoi now regarded as significant Shire feature

Wyong Shire Council has adopted a revised Tree Management plan that will provide significant protection for the trees located around the Budgewoi Tourist Park and Budgewoi East locality.

Trees on public land at this location are now classified as trees of cultural significance, which means simply they are recognised as significant features of the Shire’s cultural landscape.

Council’s Senior Planner Peter Kavanagh said the revised Chapter 14 – Tree Management, now included a map defining the extent of the trees within the Budgewoi Tourist Park and adjacent lakefront land at East Budgewoi and a description of the boundaries and species involved.

“The revised chapter means Council has to consider development applications for the removal of these trees, on a case by case basis and in the context of the overall vegetation community they are part of,” Mr Kavanagh said.

The dominant species in the area is the Broad-leaved Paperbark (Melaleuca quinquinervia), which forms part of a broader vegetation community known as Coastal Sand Mahogany – Paperbark Swamp Forest. Also mingled with the Paperbarks are Swamp Mahogany trees (Eucalyptus robusta).

“The report to last week’s Council meeting highlighted the area as having Endangered Ecological Community status under the Threatened Species Conservation Act, and recommended that the classification of the Broad-leaved Paperbark forest as an area of Cultural Significance was a natural progression,” Mr Kavanagh said.

However, Council also voted last week to defer consideration of proposed changes to the “3 metre rule”, opting to readvertise this proposal in the near future.

“The “3 metre rule” was introduced in 2006 to permit the removal of any trees within three metres of approved structures, without the need for approval,” Mr Kavanagh said.

“Excepted from the rule were protected native plants, threatened plant species, populations and ecological communities and culturally significant trees.

“The proposal before Council was to allow the rule to continue, but to reinstate the requirement for approval to remove any trees within three metres listed as Keystone Species or Locally Significant Trees, as these trees are known winter food sources for our native fauna.”

Council resolved to list the Budgewoi trees but to separately advertise the proposed change to the “3 metre rule”, to allow the public an opportunity to comment.

“Besides the Cultural Significance of the trees at Budgewoi, they are also listed as Keystone Species in the Plan, as their removal would have a potential impact on vulnerable fauna species,” Mr Kavanagh said.

“These trees are known to be the winter food source for the ringtail possum and the squirrel glider and it is important for Council to recognise and attempt to preserve this community, particularly on public lands”.

Media contact: Cameron Bell (02) 4350 1667

Page last updated: 21/10/09