Decision details

Moved by Councillor Weldon, seconded by the Chair (the Deputy Lord Mayor) -

It is resolved that:

(A)       Council note:

(i)         London plane trees, an introduced species, are one of the most prevalent trees in the local area. The City of Sydney currently manages 3,594 plane trees located in our streets and parks, representing 7.3% of the total number of street and park trees;

(ii)        the small fibres (trichomes) shed by these trees cause respiratory and eye irritation, especially during the peak shedding period at the onset of spring. This presents a hazard for everyone and is especially problematic for individuals with asthma and other chronic respiratory conditions;

(iii)       the City has committed to phasing out plane trees. As detailed in our Street Tree Master Plan, no new plane trees will be planted except to replace existing plane trees in select areas of high cultural significance e.g. Hyde Park;

(iv)       the number of plane trees in our streets has steadily declined in recent years. As current trees reach the end of life, they are replaced with a variety of both native evergreen and exotic deciduous trees;

(v)        the phase out of plane trees will continue over several decades. In the meantime, plane tree fibres continue to pose a public health and safety hazard at the onset of each spring; and

(vi)       to mitigate the impact, the City undertakes additional seasonal street sweeping in areas with high concentrations of plane trees in spring; and

(B)       the Chief Executive Officer be requested to investigate and report to Council on additional steps to mitigate the irritation caused by plane tree fibres, including increasing additional street sweeping frequency during the peak shedding period.

Carried unanimously.

X113759