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Cheltenham and Pennydale’s urban forest

The draft precinct plan aims to grow Cheltenham and Pennydale’s urban forest and enhance connections between private land and public open spaces.

Future planting will create unity between new developments and the existing neighbourhood, improving biodiversity and habitat.

Within the precinct plan we’ve identified:

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

    Read the Cheltenham/Pennydale Precinct Plan

    There are several situations where a permit may be 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

    There are areas within Cheltenham (including Pennydale) covered by the Vegetation Protection Overlay Schedule 2 (VPO2) and Schedule 3 (VPO3), which aims to protect areas of significant vegetation.

    VPO2 applies specifically to bushland reserves that are discontinuous, landlocked and surrounded by either residential or industrial development, aiming to maintain the quality of the remaining fauna habitat and to create additional habitat in bushland areas. All areas within VPO2 are Council-owned.

    VPO3 applies to land South of Park Road and Tulip Street, Cheltenham, and aims to retain the amenity, aesthetic character, and habitat value of vegetation within the area by seeking the protection of a number of indigenous species that are of local significance. Aside from the protection of indigenous vegetation, it also seeks to promote the regeneration and planting of all vegetation in Cheltenham (including Pennydale).

    Permits are required to remove, destroy or lop any vegetation that is native to Australia in areas that are covered by the VPO3.

    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 Cheltenham (including Pennydale)

      Increasing tree canopy cover to reach 30% and vegetation cover to reach 30% across Cheltenham (including Pennydale) 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.

    Map of Cheltenham

    Legend

    • Commercial areas

      The character and appearance of commercial areas can be improved by increasing tree and vegetation cover, where appropriate. Creating more appealing centres will attract a greater number of visitors to local trading areas.

      When planting trees in commercial areas conflicting priorities such as car parking, footpath activation, shop awnings, street lighting and road signage must be considered. Innovative techniques such as green roofs and walls should be explored to increase vegetation.

    • 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:

      • Cheltenham Park Flora and Fauna Reserve, Cheltenham Park, and Cheltenham Golf Course.
      • Tulip St/ Park Rd and Victoria Golf Club/ Weatherall Rd.

    • Private golf courses

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

      There are two private golf courses in Cheltenham, Victoria Golf Club and the Royal Melbourne Golf Club.

    • 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.

      Cheltenham Primary School is the only school within the suburb.

    • 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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    yoursay@bayside.vic.gov.au

    (03) 9599 4444

    www.bayside.vic.gov.au

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    PO Box 27, Sandringham VIC 3191

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