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Black Rock’s urban forest

Black Rock’s urban forest has a distinctive character dominated by native and locally indigenous trees and understorey planting, contributing to a highly biodiverse environment. Black Rock’s established gardens, well-vegetated streetscapes and foreshore plantings contribute to the suburb’s unique urban forest.

Though a precinct plan, we’ll grow the Black Rock urban forest to be resilient, and harmonious, composed of a diversity of street and park trees and vegetation that will integrate public and private spaces. The well-vegetated streetscapes and coastal gardens will continue to provide ample habitat and shade.

Within the Precinct Plan we’ve identified:

  • Ideal locations for priority planting
  • plant species to enhance biodiversity and retain local character
  • ways to support Black Rock residents to green their own spaces.


Read the Black Rock Precinct Plan


There are several situations where a permit is required to remove a tree:

  1. in a location subject to planning restrictions or an overlay.
  2. of particular size, planting condition or significance and a qualified arborist is not doing the work.

Situation 1: Planning restrictions
Black Rock is covered by the Vegetation Protection Overlay Schedule 1 (VPO1) and Schedule 3 (VPO3), which aims to protect areas of significant vegetation.

  • VPO1 is found along the foreshore in Black Rock, and it aims to retain, protect, and enhance vegetation in coastal areas. Remnant vegetation along the foreshore is of ecological importance. VPO1 is in place to retain, protect and enhance this vegetation from threats of environmental challenges, development, vandalism, and illegal tree removals.
  • VPO3 applies to private property in Black Rock, and aims to retain the amenity, aesthetic character, and habitat value of vegetation within the area. Aside from the protection of indigenous vegetation, it also seeks to promote the regeneration and planting of all vegetation in Black Rock.

Permits are required to remove, destroy or lop any vegetation that is native to Australia in areas that are covered by the VPO3. Permits are not required for the removal of vegetation and trees that are less than 2 metres high, or with a single trunk circumference of less than 0.5 metre at a height of 1 metre above ground level. Additionally, a permit is not required for pruning a tree that overhangs within 2 metres of an existing dwelling.

For larger developments or where redevelopment proposals are being assessed and require planning approval, Council officers can also request a landscaping plan which should be prepared to take into consideration the Bayside Landscaping Guidelines.

Trees or vegetation may be protected by a planning permit if you live in, or own, a flat, unit, apartment, dual occupancy, or if the property is under 500m2. To find out whether trees or vegetation on your property is protected by a heritage overlay or a significant landscape overlay, view the planning map.

Situation 2: Local Law

A Local Law permit is required if the tree to be removed:

  • has a single or combined trunk circumference greater than 155cm measured at 1m above ground level. If the tree has several trunks, the four largest trunk circumferences should be added together; or
  • is planted in accordance with the replacement planting condition of a Local Law permit; or
  • is listed on our Significant Tree Register.

  • Greening Black Rock

    Increasing tree canopy cover to reach 30% and vegetation cover to reach 30% across Black Rock by 2040.

  • Biodiverse suburb

    Create a diverse and healthy urban forest that reinforces greater outcomes for biodiversity.

  • Improve monitoring and maintain

    Improve the ability to monitor and track along with maintaining our existing canopy cover and avoid further decline.

  • Encourage residents and private owners

    Learn together, educate each other, encourage and celebrate greater care and protection.

Black Rock

Legend

  • Commercial areas

    There are three areas that are zoned for commercial use within Black Rock:

    • Black Rock Village (Large Neighbourhood Activity Centre)
    • Bluff Road and Love Street (Small Neighbourhood Activity Centre)
    • Bluff Road and Arranmore Avenue (Small Neighbourhood Activity Centre)

    The character of these activity centres can be improved by increasing the amount of vegetation. This will create more appealing centres that will attract a greater number of visitors to local trading areas.

  • Parks and reserves

    Council has identified opportunities through our Park Improvement and Habitat Linkage Plan to provide increased understorey within and surrounding several of our parks and reserves within Bayside. The following areas will be investigated:

    • Black Rock foreshore via Eliza Street/ F G Tricks Reserve/ Fern Street
    • Sandringham Golf Links via F G Tricks Reserve/ McKay Avenue/ Cheltenham Road/ Link Street/ Ardoyne Street/ Iluka Street
    • Beach Road to Fifth Street
    • Red Bluff.
  • Private golf courses

    Council will encourage the increased greening of private golf courses where possible.

    The Royal Melbourne Golf Club is the only private golf course in Black Rock.

  • Educational land

    Council will work with other State government and non-State government Schools to increase tree and vegetation cover on educational land, and run educational programs to increase awareness around vegetation planting and protection.

    The schools within Black Rock are:

    • Black Rock Primary School
    • St Joseph’s Private School

  • Roundabouts

    Roundabouts provide opportunities to plant canopy trees and understorey planting where appropriate. New plantings must not affect sight lines, safety or accessibility for larger vehicles. To ensure future planting is appropriate, a Road Safety Audit will be completed before and after installation.

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Contact us

yoursay@bayside.vic.gov.au

(03) 9599 4444

www.bayside.vic.gov.au

Bayside City Council, 76 Royal Avenue

PO Box 27, Sandringham VIC 3191

For general enquiries to Bayside Council

bayside.vic.gov.au/contact-us

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