In 2003, Council adopted the Bathurst Vegetation Management Plan Document, which is Council’s strategic planning document for the management of vegetation issues within Bathurst. 

As part of the various projects and recommendations contained within the Vegetation Management Plan, a Street Tree Audit was commissioned to develop a data base of all trees within the Bathurst Heritage Conservation Area, the main city entrance roads as well as the villages of Hill End and Rockley.  The purpose for the development of the street tree audit was to provide and develop a management tool to assist Council in the following aspects:

(a)To maintain the character, function and aesthetic appeal of Bathurst's Heritage Conservation Areas.

(b)The production of tree maintenance and replacement schedules.

(c)Minimise its risk in relation to public liability, including injury and damage to persons or property.
(d)Reduce costs associated with maintaining sub-optimal trees.

In October 2006, Australian Tree Consultants Pty Ltd were awarded a commission to commence the audit process in accordance with Council’s technical requirements and at its general meeting held 15 August 2007, Council adopted the completed report.  The Australian Tree Consultants report and street tree assessment has provided the following outcomes:

1.      A condition assessment of all street trees within the Heritage Conservation area and the main highway approaches to Bathurst, as well as trees in Hill End and Rockley.

2.      The input of all street tree audit information into an electronic format which is able to be downloaded into Council’s Asset Management System.

3.      The provision of a written report which gives recommendations on the following:

• Plant species recommendations for both sides of all streets within the Heritage Conservation Areas and which take into consideration existing infrastructure constraints and guidelines within the Bathurst Vegetation Management Plan.
• General recommendations to enhance the streetscape of the specified areas.
• Identification of locations where absent trees should be replaced.
• A prioritised listing and proposed time frame for trees recommended for removal.
• A prioritised listing and proposed time frame for trees recommended for urgent remedial work.

Australian Tree Consultants have completed both the street tree audit and the written report on its findings.  An electronic copy of the Street Tree Audit Report is attached.

AUDIT REPORT FINDINGS

The audit has highlighted a number of aspects pertaining to Council’s street trees throughout all of the assessment areas.  In general, the audit has identified opportunities for planting new street trees, replacement planting of missing street trees, pruning and other maintenance activities to be undertaken to existing trees and the removal of dead, dying or dangerous street trees.

The following table has been extracted from the audit results and shows the break up of trees requiring various works.

PROPOSED ACTIONS

The Street Tree Audit Report provided by Australian Tree Consultants has set recommended action priorities and hazard ratings on all trees identified for removal or remedial works.  It has been recommended in the report that all removal or remedial works should be completed within 5 years.  Those trees categorised with the high priority ratings, the necessary works are to be completed within the next 3 years, on a sliding scale of priority.  In addition, it is also proposed that Council will undertake the planting of new street trees throughout the audit areas over the next 5 years in conjunction with the remedial maintenance works and required tree removals. 

Attached in the below links are the maps of all tree works and planting opportunities that have been identified as a result of the Bathurst Heritage Street Tree Audit.

Download a copy of the Heritage Street Tree Audit Report.

Street Tree Maps

Bathurst Planting Opportunities

Bathurst Street Tree Audit

Hill End Planting Opportunities

Hill End Street Tree Audit

Rockley Planting Opportunities

Rockley Street Tree Audit