Environment

Street Trees

The City of Albany recognises that trees play an integral role in the aesthetic and tree environmental aspects of streetscapes within the City

However, in some cases, the retention of all trees might not be feasible, reasonable or desirable.

These guidelines have been formulated to ensure that the City of Albany manages and maintains street trees in accordance to best practices and to allow for their protection and preservation, whilst ensuring the public safety is not compromised.

Due to the hazardous nature and liability concerns of tree felling, residents / occupants are not permitted to remove street trees themselves.

Street Tree Removal

The City retains sole authority over any street tree removal and makes the final decision as to whether a tree is removed.

These are some possible reasons for tree removal:

• The tree has been assessed by a qualified City Officer / Contractor as being diseased and beyond repair or dead.
• The tree has been irreparably damaged by a storm event.
• The tree is considered hazardous to motorists / pedestrians.
• The tree is affected by road widening requirements, location of services or other necessary infrastructure.
• The tree is in dangerous contact with overhead power lines
• The tree impinges on the development potential of abutting properties with no reasonable design alternatives.
• To allow for the construction of an essential City of Albany approved crossover

These are NOT reasons for tree removal:

• The tree obscures or potentially obscures views (other than minimum safety sight lines for pedestrians or vehicles).
• The tree species is disliked.
• The tree species causes nuisance by way of leaf, fruit, bark shedding etc.
• The tree blocks a non-essential crossover or road verge treatment.
• The tree shades private property.
• Any pruning that is contrary to AS 4373-2007 ‘Pruning of Amenity Trees’.

Pruning of street trees

From time to time pruning of street trees may be necessary to remove diseased dead or dangerous branches. Trees will not be pruned, lopped or disturbed to improve views or to reduce shading onto private property.  If you notice a dangerous tree that requires pruning please contact the City of Albany on 6820 3000 or ‘Report It’ via the app to report the issue.

If it appears that the tree is interfering with a power line, please call Western Power on 13 10 87.

For more information contact: Wayne Turner [email protected]

Firewood

Dead timber and leaf litter plays in important part in the ecological processes of areas of natural bushland. Dead trees often have hollows that are used by nesting birds while fallen logs provide habitat for many small animals and food for insects etc.

For this reason firewood cutting is not permitted in any City of Albany Bushland Reserves or alongside roads.

With the permission of the land owner community members are allowed to collect firewood from private property/farms in the Albany area.

Please call the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions on 9840 0400 for more information and for locations where you are permitted to collect firewood in the Great Southern. 

Download a map here. 

Wildflowers

Bushland Reserves managed by the City of Albany play an important role in conserving the unique environmental values of the area including the wildflowers.

Viewing of the wildflowers in the reserves is popular during spring and summer when a diverse range of plants are flowering.

Community members wishing to view the wildflowers are welcome to access the reserves but must remain on tracks and trails open to the public to minimise impacts on the environment.

Picking of wildflowers is illegal in City Reserves (and other reserves such as National Parks).

Bush Watch

The City of Albany values the natural beauty of our region and we take pride in looking after Albany’s bushland reserves.

Bush Watch is a program to raise community awareness of what is permissible on City of Albany managed bushland reserves, and what activities are not permitted or require a permit. 

The Bush Watch program also encourages people to keep an eye on bushland for any threats, and to report them to the City.

The City's Bush Watch Pamphlet can be found here.

Bushland is important because:

• It provides habitat for native animals, plants and insects to live, eat and breed.

• Bushland is a great place to spend time enjoying nature, creating a feeling of wellbeing.

• It helps hold soil together, preventing wind and water erosion.

• It improves water quality as plants act as filters to clean water.

• Bushland forms shelter belts, which protect stock and crops from extreme weather, and therefore improving productivity.

Park Watch

The City of Albany values the beauty of our town sites and we take pride in looking after our parks.

Park Watch is a program to raise community awareness of what activities are permissible on City of Albany managed parks, and what activities are not permitted or require a booking. 

The Park Watch program also encourages people to keep an eye on parkland for any threats or damage, and to report them to the City.

The City's Park Watch Pamphlet can be found here.

Parks are Important as they:

• Provide venues for families and friends to gather and enjoy the outdoors.

• Create a feeling of wellbeing.

• Gardens, trees, and artwork make a place look nice.

• Parks provide space for sporting games and getting fit.
• People can walk their dogs away from roads and houses.

How to get involved

The community plays an important part in assisting the City to manage its reserves and parks.

Community members can get involved by

• Assisting with planting days and reserve busy bees.
• Assisting with events such as Clean Up Australia Day
• Joining the local Bushcarers Group, one of the local landcare or Friends of Groups
• Becoming a Camp Ground Host at one of the City’s Nature based campsites during peak periods

Opportunities to participate in environmental management projects are advertised via the City’s social media platforms and in the local media as well as via partner organisations.