The following questions, submitted in writing to Council on 4 December 2019 by Mr Ray Norman, have been answered by Mr Shane Eberhardt (Director Infrastructure Services).
Questions:
Against the background of information currently circulating on social media and the personal representations made to the ‘Concerned Citizens Network’ relative to the reported removal of mature trees at Churchill Park a number of questions arise. In particular the questions are relative to Council’s reported declaration of a Climate Change Emergency.
1. Does Council’s determination of a Climate Emergency have any currency at all within Council operations or any practical implications in regard to the realisation of Council works carried out on the ground within its jurisdiction?
Response:
The Climate Emergency Declaration provided direction to the recently endorsed Sustainability Strategy. The Sustainability Strategy is implemented through changes or development of policy and procedures which influences the Council's operations.
2. Does Council’s determination of a Climate Emergency have any veracity as a City of Launceston policy?
Response:
As answered above, the Sustainability Strategy is the key Council policy position on how the Declaration is to be implemented. City of Launceston
3. Beyond the rhetoric, does Council’s determination of a Climate Emergency have any strategic importance going forward and if so where can the city’s citizenry find documentation of this policy to guide them in their strategic decision making?
Response:
The Climate Emergency Declaration has given direction to the recently endorsed Sustainability Strategy. Initial actions contained within the Sustainability Strategy are underway to assess the Council's baseline carbon footprint and community action planning to work with our community in addressing climate impacts and issues. These actions build on the past decade of the Council's energy efficiency and renewable energy use, demonstrating cost saving and a commitment to sustainability across the breadth of the Council's operations, including building and assets, traffic, transport and parking, cultural and sporting services and facilities, procurement and waste management. As a significant and complex challenge, climate change requires a wellconsidered and persistent response, which is the Council's approach. The Sustainability Strategy is available on Council's website.
4. Who within Council has delegated authority backed by the relevant expertise to determine a course of action in the realisation Council development relative to declared policies? Also, what experience and expertise do they have in order to qualify them to make appropriate determinations in this area of Council’s operations?
Response:
The Council has a diverse range of employees with qualifications and experience relative to the roles they undertake within the Council. Where necessary, formal delegations support decisions being made in accordance with legislative requirements.
5. In regard to the Churchill Park carpark development who authorised the removal the removal of trees to facilitate the development? Given that a decision was made on what basis was it made?
Response:
Following extensive public consultation, the Churchill Park Masterplan for the precinct was approved in an open Council Meeting on 16 July 2018. The Masterplan identified the trees to be impacted. City of Launceston
The Churchill Park Masterplan includes a current commitment of over $2 million (2018/2019 and 2019/2020 financial years), including:
upgrade of the existing car parking to address safety and capacity issues;
construction of two additional playing fields; and
relocation of the centre car parking area to allow for the additional grounds.
6. Does Council have an up to date register of significant trees and groupings of trees and associated vegetation that documents the significance of the tree, trees and/or the placescaping and cultural landscaping within which they exist? If so where can the city’s citizens and others gain access to the register? If there is no such register why does it not exist?
Response:
Council maintains an extensive register of trees but this register does not apply criteria for significance. This information is available on the Tree Explorer App, accessible through the Council's website.
Excluding the Council's bushland reserves, the Council maintains approximtely 30,000 trees in municipal parks and streets. Trees within the streets and parks are managed in accordance with the Council's Tree Management Policy which is available on the Council's website.
This Tree Management Policy provides a clear and consistent management approach to ensure that the City of Launceston's trees are:
recognised as valuable community assets;
adequately protected from works and development;
maintained in a healthy condition to increase useful life expectancy; and
removed only under defined conditions.
7. Is the significance of the mature trees removed at Churchill Park acknowledged in any way and especially so in regard to the role they play in environmentally securing the now defunct landfill site?
Response:
The health and condition of the trees was assessed by an arborist to with the aim to retain as many trees as possible. Due to the existing site conditions these trees have been in decline for a number of years. A number of dead and dying trees have been removed over the past decade in this space. Replacement plantings are planned for this area. City of Launceston
8. How many trees have actually been removed and how many more in the area are intended to be removed for any reason? Indeed, what trees elsewhere are currently under threat of removal?
Response:
The trees within the footprint of the Stage 2 carpark have been removed. The remaining trees will be retained and protected. Trees may be periodically removed when identified as unsafe in our accordance with the Council's Tree Management Policy.
9. What mitigation is intended to overcome the consequences of the removal of the trees that have removed and upon what expert advice is Council relying in regard to such mitigation?
Response:
A qualified arborist undertook the assessment. Due to natural loss of vegetation due to site conditions revegetation at Heritage Forest is an ongoing process.
10. Is this an instance where SECTION 62 of the Tasmanian Local Government Act 1993 when the General Manager will determine a way forward or is it an instance where Council will decide the matter and/or reinforce its policy determination in open Council?
Response:
The Climate Emergency Declaration and Sustainability Strategy were endorsed in open Council Meetings and the General Manager is implementing these in accordance with functions and powers outlined in section 62 of the Local Government Act 1993 (Tas). City of Launceston
11. What is the estimated cost to ratepayers in regard to resolving this matter and when will it be provided to ratepayers in order that interested parties can be informed relative to their planning in like situations?
Response:
The matter relates to an approved DA for a high use recreation area and ongoing parks maintenance, subject to existing policies and procedures. The Council's staff are undertaking the tree management work. There are no additional costs attached to this other than that already budgeted for the project, which was developed in response to demand by the community to improve the playing field facilities for the substantial number of families that participate in sporting activities at the site.
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