Verges & Street Trees

Trees in the City

The City of Kalamunda recognises the significance of streetscapes and naturally occurring and planted trees as integral to the identity of the City. Having an urban forest is shown to contribute to the health and wellbeing of the community. When you consider all the environmental, social and amenity advantages to having trees in an urban setting, it is easy to see how these benefits far outweigh any temporary inconvenience that they may create. 

For further information regarding the City's relevant local strategies.

Local Biodiversity Strategy (2008)

Kalamunda Clean and Green: Local Environment Strategy (2019 -2029)

Street Trees

All trees that are planted on Public Open Space or public thoroughfares are public property and fully maintained by the city, including planting, watering and pruning. There are many reasons why our trees need to be pruned, to meet road clearance requirements, footpath clearances or if they cause a vision obstruction for pedestrians or road users. 

In instances where overhead powerlines are present, the City's contractors will prune tree branches away from wires as part of our annual powerline clearance pruning program to meet Western Power vegetation clearance requirements. 

Naturally Occurring Trees 

Trees which are self sown and endemic to the area are classed to be naturally occurring.

Should residents wish to request a verge tree or enquire about maintenance of verge trees, please complete an online request or alternatively contact the City of Kalamunda on (08) 9257 9999 or email enquiries@kalamunda.wa.gov.au

Work which residents may carry out on their verge trees

Residents are only permitted to carry out pruning of limbs which overhang their properties boundary lines. Any other pruning of verge trees should be requested by contacting the City of Kalamunda on 9257 9999 or via email enquiries@kalamunda.wa.gov.au

If you have any queries regarding vegetation on privately owned adjoining property’s contact the Citizens Advice Bureau to assist information regarding these matters.

City Bushfire Management

The City is required to comply with the Bushfire Act as it is either a landowner - or has care and control of State-owned land. Land ownings that are not Parks or Reserves (ie blocks of land with either buildings on them or vacant) need to comply with the Fire Notices issued to other property owners.

Regarding Parks, Reserves and Verges which are lands under City care and control, the City is not issued a Fire Notice but is required to comply with the Bushfire Act. Where feasible, the intent and specifications set out in the Fire Notices for others is followed.

The City maintains some 300ha of Cat 4 Reserves of which 50ha is under active fire management by the City. Fire management works include slashing weeds, establishment of 75km of fire breaks and the application of herbicide to manage fuel loads. In addition, the City conducts hazard burns to approximately 30 hectares of land each year, including the mechanical removal of DFM.

Some Reserves have topography and issues such as Declared Rare Flora or Threatened Ecological Communities which prevent wholesale removal of vegetation or cutting fire breaks. In these instances, variations to the requirements of Fire Notices are permitted and appropriate.

The City also assesses each roadside verge in terms of net area and fuel load to determine if a bushfire hazard exists. Reduction in fuel loads is taken where necessary either by slashing, herbicide, or both.

These works are undertaken on a programmed basis and occur in October and November. This timeframe considers weather conditions and seasonal growth to avoid the need for return site visits and regrowth before the peak of the fire season.