More than 110 people spoke up about Council’s proposed new tree code even though it went on public exhibition over Christmas and the new year.
The report on what people said goes to this Monday night’s council meeting.
More than 84 per cent were in favour of tougher new laws to protect trees and the majority of the submissions came from the northern part of the coast – the old Wyong Council area.
The report notes that council would need at least three more aborists to manage an expected increase in tree permit applications from the northern part of the coast if council adopts a new code.
But the council budget does not have the half a million dollars needed for the extra staff and next year’s draft budget does not include those funds either.
The report recommends that Councillors allow staff to continue to work on refining a new code of practice and put that out on public exhibition again before coming back to council with another report.
The tree and vegetation draft policy is one of may items up for discussion this Monday.
See the full agenda on council’s website here or have a quick quizz below.
Below is a screenshot of part of the report to the Councillors.
