Hume City Council are advocates for advanced trees

It is evident that Hume has quite a diverse population with different expectations to manage. As a council they are open-minded to trying different selections and have an extensive parks and open space department that recond and maintain their green space. Hume plants approximately 5,000 trees a year and receive almost as many trees a year again from developers.

They have an inventory of around 158,000 trees that are mapped, identified and risk assessed. Remnant trees and trees in regulated areas such as in and around childcare centres, schools, shopping centres, reserves and playgrounds are audited annually. This regularly audited program has seen a decrease in risk trees and improved reaction times to storm recovery.

They are placing greater focus on what’s going on below the ground in allowing newly planted trees unlimited growing space encouraging greater root volumes. There are a number of challenges for local government but the main one centres on securing greater funds for landscaping in capital works programs. This starts with Councils seeing trees as assets.  Knowing more about your assets allows people to inform the debate with facts.

With Jason around, the facts are clear and his passion for trees in the community is to be commended. It was a pleasure to have him speak to the forum.