Moved by Councillor Phelps, seconded by
Councillor Vithoulkas –
It is resolved that:
(A)
Council
note:
(i)
the
City of Sydney is located in a spectacular and unique part of the Sydney basin.
The inner city is home to around 365 local native plants and 90 different
native bird species;
(ii)
while
the City's urban population has grown, the urban biodiversity has
been greatly reduced from its original state in the City of Sydney local
government area;
(iii)
the
City should create areas that celebrate local native plants that thrive in the
Sydney region and that create habitats for native fauna;
(iv)
through
its Urban Ecology Strategic Action Plan, the City encourages residents to
create “habitat gardens,” in backyards, on balconies, in common areas, or
community spaces like local schools;
(v)
the
City of Sydney’s Street Tree Master Plan focuses on planting “the right tree in
the right location,” but the Master Plan does not account for available habitat
or assist in the movement of native fauna species between those areas;
(vi)
currently
75 per cent of the City’s park trees and 58 per cent of the City’s street trees
are native. Approximately 30 per cent of plants in the City’s park and public
domain gardens are native; and
(vii)
there
are restrictions on what species can be planted in particularly harsh
urban environments, however, the City can continue to improve on its efforts to
create lush green spaces which showcase native Australian plant species and provide
homes for native animals and birds; and
(B)
the
Chief Executive Officer be requested to:
(i)
consult
with WIRES to compile a list of preferred trees and shrubs for
planting in the City of Sydney that creates suitable habitats to enable birds,
frogs, lizards, flying foxes, microbats, possums and other small mammals such
as bandicoots to successfully survive;
(ii)
use
this list in planning considerations and maximising the planting of native
flora where possible; and
(iii)
share
the list via the CEO Update.
__________________________________________________________________
Note – the motion
above was not carried. The resolution as below was carried –
It is
resolved that:
(A) Council note:
(i)
the
City of Sydney is located in a spectacular and unique part of the Sydney basin.
The inner city is home to around 365 local native plants and 90 different
native bird species;
(ii)
the
City creates areas that celebrate local native plants that thrive in the Sydney
region and that create habitats for native fauna;
(iii) the City's urban population has grown, and while the urban
biodiversity has been greatly reduced from its original state in the City of
Sydney local government area, the City has increased its bush restoration areas
in open spaces from a baseline of 4.2hectares to approximately 13 hectares in
the last seven years;
(iv)
these
areas are managed in accordance to the guidelines outlined in the City’s Bush
Restoration Management Plan;
(v)
the
objective of these areas is to create habitat for native flora and fauna;
(vi)
the
City has developed a planting guide for its bush restoration and habitat sites
to ensure that flora and fauna thrive in an urban environment;
(vii)
the City is developing a list of preferred tree
species for the Grey-headed flying fox based on the extensive work carried out
by experts;
(viii)
the
City encourages developers to use the City’s planting guide in their
development projects, and the Urban Ecology Co-ordinator advises City Projects
on park upgrades where native planting is recommended for habitat outcomes;
(ix)
through
its Urban Ecology Strategic Action Plan, the City encourages residents to
create “habitat gardens,” in backyards, on balconies, in common areas, or
community spaces like local schools;
(x) the City of Sydney’s Street Tree Master Plan
and other
policies and plans consider habitat a key consideration when selecting a tree
species to encourage native flora and fauna;
(xi)
the
City of Sydney also considers environmental tolerance, functional requirements
and aesthetic and design requirements when planting trees;
(xii)
the City is currently working with consultants to
further improve the identification of biodiversity and habitat corridors to
encourage the movement of native fauna across the City of Sydney;
(xiii)
the objective of these works is to define how
public and private landscapes can assist in strengthening habitat corridors and
provide the opportunity for planning controls to be amended to support this
aim;
(xiv)
currently
75 per cent of the City’s park trees and 58 per cent of the City’s street trees
are native. Approximately 30 per cent of plants in the City’s park and public
domain gardens are native;
(xv)
there
are restrictions on what species can be planted in particularly harsh
urban environments, however the City can continue to improve on its efforts to
create lush green spaces which showcase native Australian plant species and
provide homes for native animals and birds; and
(B)
the Chief Executive Officer be requested to consult with WIRES as part of the current review of the Greening
Sydney Strategy, Street Tree Master Plan and Urban Forest Strategy.
The
amendment was carried on the following show of hands –
Ayes (8) The
Chair (the Lord Mayor), Councillors Vithoulkas, Scott, Thalis, Kok, Forster,
Scully and Miller
Noes (2) Councillors Chung and Phelps.
Amendment
carried.
The motion
was carried unanimously.
S129263