Nillumbik tree policy puts canopy protection at centre after 132 submissions

The adopted policy replaces Nillumbik’s 2018 tree rules, adds an education program and links future reporting to the shire’s canopy and biodiversity strategies.

Council: Nillumbik Shire Council

Meeting: 27 October 2026

Recorded status: approved


BRIEF

Nillumbik Shire Council’s unconfirmed minutes record unanimous adoption of a tree protection policy replacing its 2018 policy and guidelines. The policy follows 132 written submissions and three verbal presentations, prioritises avoiding unnecessary tree removal and protecting existing canopy, and requires an education program and future reporting through the shire’s canopy and biodiversity strategies.


KEY FACTS

- The unconfirmed minutes record Council adopting the Nillumbik Tree Protection & Management Policy on 27 October 2026.

- The resolution revoked Tree Management Policy 2018 and Tree Management Guidelines 2018.

- The policy is to be published on Council’s website. Council also resolved to develop and implement an education and communication program about the value and importance of trees.

- The consultation process recorded 132 written submissions and three verbal presenters at the 11 August 2026 Planning and Consultation Committee meeting.

- The motion is recorded as having carried unanimously and included administrative corrections to internal section references.


ANALYSIS OF THE RECORD

- The minutes record the policy's intended framework and required follow-up actions, but the supplied text does not give a timetable or budget for publication or the education program.

- The supplied meeting text does not include the full policy, establish detailed replacement-planting or urban-greening requirements, or identify particular trees, properties or applications affected by the policy.

- The Mayor's confirmation line is blank; the article treats the minutes as unconfirmed.


QUESTIONS FOR FOLLOW-UP REPORTING

- When will Council publish the adopted policy and begin the education and communication program?

- What budget, measures and timetable will apply to the education and communication program?

- How will annual action-plan updates measure the policy's effects on canopy cover, habitat protection and climate resilience?


RECORDED NEXT STEPS

- Under the recorded resolution, Council is to publish the adopted policy on its website.

- Council is to develop and implement an education and communication program focused on the value and importance of trees.

- Council is to advise consultation submitters of the outcome.

- Officers are to report through annual action plan updates linked to the Urban Tree Canopy Strategy 2024–2040 and Biodiversity Strategy 2024–2034.


SOURCE PASSAGES

Cr Grant Brooker moved and Cr John Dumaresq seconded a motion for Council to adopt the Nillumbik Tree Protection & Management Policy with administrative corrections to internal section references.
"Officers' reports CM.109/26 Nillumbik Tree Protection & Management Policy 33 Council Resolution MOVED: Cr Grant Brooker SECONDED: Cr John Dumaresq That Council: 1. Adopts the Nillumbik Tree Protection & Management Policy (Attachment 1), incorporating the following administrative corrections to internal section references: a." (CM.109/26 Council Resolution, adoption and mover/seconder)

The quoted text states that the amendments are administrative corrections only and do not alter the policy's intent, scope, principles, policy position or operational requirements.
"Notes that the above amendments are administrative corrections only and do not alter the intent, scope, principles, policy position or operational requirements of the Policy. 3. Authorises the Chief Operating Officer to make any further minor changes to the Nillumbik Tree Protection & Management Policy that may be necessary and are inconsequential in nature." (CM.109/26 Council Resolution, clause 2)

The quoted provisions call for publication of the Nillumbik Tree Protection & Management Policy on Council's website and development and implementation of an education and communication program about the value and importance of trees.
"4. Publishes the adopted Nillumbik Tree Protection & Management Policy on Council's website. 5. Develops and implements an Education and Communication Program that focuses on the value and importance of trees." (CM.109/26 Council Resolution, clauses 4–5)

The quoted provisions call for revoking Tree Management Policy 2018 and Tree Management Guidelines 2018 and request officer reporting through Annual Action Plan updates via the Urban Tree Canopy Strategy 2024–2040 and Biodiversity Strategy 2024–2034.
"6. Revokes Tree Management Policy 2018 and Tree Management Guidelines 2018 (Attachments 2 and 3). 7. Requests officers to report back to Council through the Annual Action Plan updates via the Urban Tree Canopy Strategy 2024-2040 and Biodiversity Strategy 2024- 2034." (CM.109/26 Council Resolution, clauses 6–7)

The resolution requires submitters to be thanked and advised of the consultation outcome, and is recorded as carried unanimously.
"8. Thanks submitters and advises them of the outcome of the consultation process. CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY Council Meeting Minutes 27 October 2026 12. Officers' reports CM.109/26 Nillumbik Tree Protection & Management Policy 34 Council Meeting Minutes 27 October 2026 12." (CM.109/26 Council Resolution, clause 8 and vote)

The policy summary describes avoiding unnecessary tree removal, safeguarding existing canopy, replacement planting and reinvestment in urban greening, and alignment with canopy cover, climate resilience and habitat protection outcomes.
"The NTPMP represents a significant evolution in Council's approach to tree management by placing tree protection, retention and canopy enhancement at the centre of decision- making. It delivers a clear, contemporary framework that prioritises the avoidance of unnecessary tree removal, strengthens safeguards for existing canopy, and ensures that where impacts are unavoidable, they are appropriately mitigated through replacement planting and reinvestment into urban greening. Importantly, the Policy strengthens alignment with Council's adopted strategies, including the Urban Tree Canopy Strategy 2024–2040 and Biodiversity Strategy 2024–2034, to deliver measurable outcomes in canopy cover increase, climate resilience, and habitat protection." (CM.109/26 report summary)

The Planning and Consultation Committee considered a report outlining 132 written submissions and heard three verbal presenters on 11 August 2026; the report says the policy was refined after consideration of that feedback.
"The Planning and Consultation Committee considered a report outlining the 132 written submissions received, and at the meeting on 11 August 2026 the Committee heard verbal submissions from 3 presenters. Having considered the feedback from the written and verbal submissions, refinements to the Policy have been made. Recommendation That Council: 1. Adopts the Nillumbik Tree Protection & Management Policy (Attachment 1)." (CM.109/26 consultation summary)

The supplied record's Mayor's confirmation line is blank.
"Confirmed: _______________________________ Cr Naomi Joiner, Mayor" (Closing confirmation line)


SOURCES

https://nillumbik.infocouncil.biz/RedirectToDoc.aspx?URL=Open/2026/10/CM_27102026_MIN_1513.PDF

https://minutesradar.com/news/nillumbik-infocouncil-council-meeting-27-oct-2026-27-oct-2026-minutes-nillumbik-tree-policy-puts-canopy-protection-at-centre-after-132-submissions/


Prepared from public council minutes using automated drafting and checks. No meeting attendance or interviews are implied. Check the original record and seek comment before republishing claims or analysis. Illustrations are generic, not depictions of actual projects.