THE ISSUE
Why Protect Trees in the Toowoomba Region?
Toowoomba is known as the "Garden City," yet despite this reputation, large-scale habitat destruction continues, especially in Highfields and other urban fringes, where much habitat has been clear-felled for development. Unfortunately, Toowoomba Regional Council (TRC) remains the only local government in South East Queensland without a tree protection mechanism in its planning scheme or as a local by-law. This leaves critical habitat corridors and significant trees vulnerable to destruction, with no legal framework to preserve them.
Protect Trees Toowoomba is calling for TRC to introduce protections through ecological mapping embedded in the planning scheme. Our goal is to create a future where urban growth balances ecological sustainability, maintaining green spaces for generations to come.
Our Key Concerns
Protect Trees Toowoomba applauds councils support for tree protections in the new planning scheme and proposes the introduction of tree protections that would:
Toowoomba is known as the "Garden City," yet despite this reputation, large-scale habitat destruction continues, especially in Highfields and other urban fringes, where much habitat has been clear-felled for development. Unfortunately, Toowoomba Regional Council (TRC) remains the only local government in South East Queensland without a tree protection mechanism in its planning scheme or as a local by-law. This leaves critical habitat corridors and significant trees vulnerable to destruction, with no legal framework to preserve them.
Protect Trees Toowoomba is calling for TRC to introduce protections through ecological mapping embedded in the planning scheme. Our goal is to create a future where urban growth balances ecological sustainability, maintaining green spaces for generations to come.
Our Key Concerns
- Unregulated Tree Clearing: Large-scale clearing in Highfields and other growing suburbs has eliminated significant patches of native vegetation without preserving habitat corridors.
- Lack of Protection for Significant Trees: No system exists to recognize and protect trees based on their age, size, ecological significance, or cultural value.
- No Community Involvement: Residents currently have no voice in determining which trees should be protected.
- Absence of Habitat Corridors: Without dedicated corridors mapped for protection, biodiversity is at risk, leading to habitat fragmentation and loss of native species.
- Lack of maintenance budget for bushland parks: Developers are telling us that at times bushland parks are being refused by council. We know TRC spends significantly less on maintaining bushland parks than other SEQ councils. We love our existing parks and gardens but trees and bushland habitat should not be and their expense.
Protect Trees Toowoomba applauds councils support for tree protections in the new planning scheme and proposes the introduction of tree protections that would:
- Protect Key Habitat Areas – Use regularly updated mapping to stablish wildlife corridors through ecologically significant habitat zones in development planning.
- Mandate Pre-Development Arborist Assessments – Require assessments to prevent unnecessary habitat loss at the stage of zoning by for greenfield development approved land to give developers certainty or pre-development for brownfield.
FAQ
Q: Why do we need tree protection laws in Toowoomba?
A: Unlike Brisbane, Ipswich, Logan and many other councils, Toowoomba has no legal framework or planning scheme measure to protect ecological habitat or significant trees in the urban environment. This has led to unchecked clearing, harming biodiversity, increasing urban heat, and reducing the region’s natural beauty.
Q: How would habitat corridors be protected?
A: We are calling for updated mapping and overlays to ensure habitat corridors are preserved during urban development.
Q: Will this prevent development?
A: No, it will balance development with sustainability, ensuring trees are considered and incorporated into planning rather than destroyed.
Q: How will a significant tree be determined?
A: A significant tree will be identified based on clear criteria, including age, size, rarity, ecological importance, historical or cultural value, and community significance. We are proposing that expert arborists, ecologists, and community members can make nominations that would then the council would consult the community about before deciding whether or not the tree or a group of trees needs to be protected.
Q: Will I still be able to cut trees down on my property under a Natural Assets Local Law?
A: Homeowners will still be able to manage and remove vegetation on their property.
Q: What can I do to help?
A: Join Protect Trees Toowoomba, write to the Toowoomba Regional Council, and support local tree protections.
A: Unlike Brisbane, Ipswich, Logan and many other councils, Toowoomba has no legal framework or planning scheme measure to protect ecological habitat or significant trees in the urban environment. This has led to unchecked clearing, harming biodiversity, increasing urban heat, and reducing the region’s natural beauty.
Q: How would habitat corridors be protected?
A: We are calling for updated mapping and overlays to ensure habitat corridors are preserved during urban development.
Q: Will this prevent development?
A: No, it will balance development with sustainability, ensuring trees are considered and incorporated into planning rather than destroyed.
Q: How will a significant tree be determined?
A: A significant tree will be identified based on clear criteria, including age, size, rarity, ecological importance, historical or cultural value, and community significance. We are proposing that expert arborists, ecologists, and community members can make nominations that would then the council would consult the community about before deciding whether or not the tree or a group of trees needs to be protected.
Q: Will I still be able to cut trees down on my property under a Natural Assets Local Law?
A: Homeowners will still be able to manage and remove vegetation on their property.
Q: What can I do to help?
A: Join Protect Trees Toowoomba, write to the Toowoomba Regional Council, and support local tree protections.
Join the movement to support Protect Trees Toowoomba, attend our community meetings, and help us advocate for protections for mapped areas of habitat in the planning scheme and a bylaw for significant trees that safeguards the region’s natural heritage.
Together, we can ensure that Toowoomba’s trees are protected, not just remembered.
Together, we can ensure that Toowoomba’s trees are protected, not just remembered.
