We are committed to improving the appearance of Merri-bek and to increasing tree canopy to keep the city cooler. This is a commitment of our Urban Forest Strategy.

In 2021 we had proposed to plant canopy trees in the middle of the road in Guthrie, Cohuna and Mincha Streets in Brunswick West.

Based on what we heard from the community, the project has now been revised:

  • There will be no further work undertaken on Mincha and Cohuna Streets at this stage.
  • Guthrie Street will be the only street included in the project.
  • We will consult with the residents and owners of Guthrie Street properties so the project meets their needs.

Project background

In 2021, during community engagement on this project, we received a petition from some affected residents. The petition objected to our proposal to plant trees in the centre of the road in Guthrie, Mincha and Cohuna Streets, Brunswick West.

The main concerns expressed by petitioners were that:

  • Over time, tree roots may negatively impact the quality of the road. The undulation of Union Street, Brunswick was given as an example of the damage that could be caused.
  • The quality of the trees planted in Donald Street, Brunswick East may represent what the Guthrie, Mincha and Cohuna Streets could look like in the future. They suggested that there may not be adequate, quality soil present to accommodate for expected crown projection.
  • The trees offered as choices were not drought or disease resistant.
  • The new trees would cast a significant amount of shade on nearby homes, and this impact needed more consideration by Council officers.
  • The debris that would fall from the new trees would cause issues.

In response to what we heard in the petition:

  • We reviewed the trees in Donald Street and found that the planting method and most of the trees used in that streetscape had failed.
  • We have changed our approach to in-road tree planting and will now apply more modern methods backed by global research and commonly used in other countries to enable trees to thrive. This includes using a root deflector and placing a structural soil apron around each tree planting pit to prevent tree roots impacting road and footpath infrastructure.
  • Any tree pits we install will be level with surrounding areas enabling debris to be collected, and traffic signs will be used to make road users aware of the presence of trees in the centre of the road.
  • We also reviewed the quality of the original community engagement process and found room for improvement. Going forward we will consult with the community through direct mail, online surveys, one-on-one discussions, phone calls and meaningful face-to-face conversations.

The revised project

  • Considerable support has been expressed by some residents in Guthrie Street for this project to proceed.
  • We will be consulting directly with Guthrie Street residents and property owners to gauge support for the project.
  • We will only proceed if more than 50% of Guthrie Street residents and property owners (combined) support the project.
  • Guthrie Street residents and property owners will have the opportunity select one of 3 trees to be planted. The trees will be suitable for our future climate, drought tolerant, disease resistant and be a combination of evergreen and deciduous to address concerns of over-shading.
The scope of the Guthrie Street project will not result in the loss of existing car parking spaces, or creation of new car parking spaces, or creation of new grassed nature strips. If the project is successful, we will replicate it in other areas of Merri-bek

Join the conversation

If you live in or own a property in Guthrie Street you can let us know your thoughts on the project and your preferred tree species.

Project Updates

FAQs

Merri-bek’s Urban Forest Strategy 2017 aims for 30% of our roads to have tree canopy cover in the future.

Street trees provide shade and make walking and cycling more enjoyable, especially during hot weather.

Street trees also reduce the urban heat island effect, which makes temperatures in our suburbs higher.

Detailed analysis of Merri-bek’s canopy cover has shown us that we need to create new spaces for trees in your street and similar streets to establish canopy in areas where it’s needed most and residents from Guthrie street want us to increase tree canopy cover over their street

Our analysis shows that planting trees in the middle of the road will not affect parking, traffic flow or underground drains.

We visit every neighbourhood in Merri-bek every 2 years to prune and maintain our trees.

We also visit all areas once a year to clear trees around power lines.

You can report tree maintenance issues to us online or by phone.

Council also carries out regular street cleaning.

We sweep some streets more often in Autumn to clean up Autumn leaves.

Learn more about tree maintenance https://www.moreland.vic.gov.au/living-in-moreland/environment/trees/trees-on-public-property/#

These images show an example of what the site may look like during and after tree pit construction.

This photo is an example of what the tree pits may look like during construction:

The central tube is temporarily set as the location for the proposed tree, root deflector and imported top soil. The tube will eventually be removed.

Note the location of the drain or stormwater connection in the top right of the image within the pit is for example purposes only.

This photo, of Melville St in Hobart, shows what Guthrie street may look like once the trees are planted: