Most trees on private land will be protected under the City of Bayswater’s new tree retention policy.

The new policy aims to prevent developers from clearing mature trees without proper planning approval but will not apply to properties with a single house.

It is intended to tackle the larger issue of clearing mature trees for bigger developments and subdivisions.

Under the policy, development approval will be needed for the removal of or interference with a “regulated tree,” which is defined by the city as a tree more than 8m tall, with a trunk circumference of at least 1.5m, canopy of 6m and is not a weed.

It was passed 5-4 at last month’s council meeting.

Deputy mayor Elli Petersen-Pik also asked that a register of “regulated trees” captured under the policy be created which would

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