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Highett’s urban forest

The Highett Precinct Plan aims to significantly increase tree and understorey planting to provide local streets with vibrant greenery.

A new 1,000m2 public open space on the former CSIRO site is a key opportunity for extensive native and indigenous planting to foster habitat and increase biodiversity. The three-hectare Highett Grassy Woodland, recently transferred to Council ownership, is important land we’ll protect and enhance as a conservation reserve ensuring the protection of endangered grassy woodland plains.

Within the precinct plan we’ve identified:

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

    Read the Highett 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

    While there are currently no Vegetation Protection Overlays or Significant Landscape Overlays in Highett, tree removal and replanting may require further assessment through the planning application approval process.

    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 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 Highett

      Increasing tree canopy cover to reach 30% and vegetation cover to reach 30% across Highett 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 Highett

    Legend

    • Commercial areas

      There are two activity centres within Highett that accommodate commercial uses:

      • Highett Activity Centre (Large Neighbourhood Activity Centre)
      • Little Highett Village (Small Neighbourhood Activity Centre)

      The character of these commercial centres can be improved by increasing tree and vegetation cover.

    • 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:

      • A F Peterson Reserve
      • Ashwood Avenue Park to Avoca St Retarding Basin
    • 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 Highett are:

      • St Agnes’ Primary School
      • Sandringham College

    • 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.

    • Former CSIRO Site

      As part of the development of the former CSIRO site, Council is receiving 4 hectares of land to be utilised as open space. Of this space, 3 hectares will continue to be designated as the Highett Grassy Woodlands Conservation Reserve at the southern end of the site. A separate hectare of open space will be developed at the northern end of the site, and in totality provides a significant opportunity to preserve and enhance tree and understorey vegetation.

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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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