A DRAFT tree management policy is set to update the Mornington Peninsula Shire’s practices and provide clarity around trees impacting private property.
Under the draft, which was approved by councillors at their 17 February meeting to be released for public consultation, the shire would remove trees or branches fallen from shire-managed land onto private land at the shire’s cost, providing a safe workplace and landowner consent were given.
The policy also allows for the installation of root barriers on private land where deemed appropriate by a shire arborist.
The estimated additional annual operational cost is $160,000, covering large tree removals ($100,000), root barrier installation ($50,000) and insurance allowance ($10,000).
An independent tree management audit in 2022 highlighted the need for a formal policy to improve governance and consistency, according to the council.
The draft also responds to a notice of motion endorsed at council’s 12 August 2025 meeting, which requested a report on where council assets have caused damage to private property and suitable policy responses.
The draft policy sets out a “clear and consistent framework for managing public trees and responding to impacts on private property,” a shire report said
“Shire-managed trees are the most common shire assets that cause damage on private property and is therefore the most appropriate service to have a policy position in place,” the report said.
With landowner consent, the shire “can and does access private property to undertake works where appropriate,” the report added, but noted “outside of managing trees, operational decisions on whether it is appropriate to work on private land are made on a case-by-case basis as every situation is different, meaning establishing a clear policy position would be difficult and of limited value to community”.
The shire said the draft policy represented a proposed change in operational service delivery.
“The shire does not currently undertake works on private land to remove fallen trees and branches from trees on shire-managed land. There previously has not been a policy position or other council-adopted position on this,” it said.
Councillors were briefed late last year with feedback incorporated into the revised draft.
The policy has since been refined including clarification around the shire’s approach to tree-related impacts on private property.
Councillor Max Patton said he supported the policy going out for consultation.
“I’d like to acknowledge that there was a lot of consternation in the community about the removal of a lot of trees across McCrae and Rosebud foreshores recently, as well as trees across the peninsula as part of our maintenance programs,” he said.
“There’s a petition out there with 1600 signatures calling for different approaches to tree management. I support the tree management policy on its community engagement, particularly the timing, and I really do look forward to hearing from the community on this.”
Cr Kate Roper said tree management was a frequent source of complaints with tree management being “almost the second number of complaints behind roads – how they’re cut, why aren’t they cut, etc”.
“I think this is really important. I hope we get a lot of public input and get some really good feedback on forming this policy.”
Cr Andrea Allen also welcomed the proposed changes relating to private property.
“The draft policy says that the shire will remove trees or branches fallen from shire-managed land onto private land at shire’s cost… This change in policy is estimated to have an annual cost of $160,000… as other councils have indicated, this is an area where there are strong differing views within the community, so it will be interesting to see the outcome of the consultation.”
Cr David Gill said the draft policy would spark community discussion and this was an “opportunity to let public know about this, what’s happening… I think it’s a great step and it’s something that our community have been talking about for a long time.”.
The shire report said the draft policy “will ensure the shire’s tree management practices remain contemporary, transparent and aligned with legislative obligations, best-practice urban forest management and community expectations.”
It added the policy “clarifies responsibilities, strengthens consistency in decision-making, and provides a clear framework for the sustainable management of public trees”.
Following the six-week exhibition period (to be announced) a further report will summarise community and stakeholder feedback, along with a final draft policy and budget for adoption.
First published in the Mornington News – 3 March 2026
