Q. How does the policy work?
The policy works on the principle that a combination of approaches, i.e Education, Monitoring & Prevention, and Regulation, Enforcement & Rehabilitation work best that that the severity of the event will warrant different approaches. When tree vandalism occurs Council officers will collect the necessary data to enter into the spreadsheet in Attachment 4 of the policy. According to the data entered this spreadsheet calculates if the event is of a low medium or high significance. Each level of significance also has a series of actions that can be implemented by Council to respond to the vandalism with the higher impact events obviously requiring a stronger response.
The flow chart in attachment 3 gives an overview of how the process would unfold.
Q. Why was the policy developed?
This policy has been developed in light of increasing tree/vegetation vandalism being experienced by councils across the region. This is particularly apparent in the coastal zone where development pressure and conflicts between water views and vegetation has seen an increase in the vandalism of trees and vegetation on public land. The policy gives Council a clear direction about what to do in the instance of vegetation vandalism and helps to stop Council having to re- invent the wheel each time that tree vandalism occurs.
Q. Who is Hunter Councils and what was their role in this?
Hunter Councils is the regional organisation of Councils of which Port Stephens Council is a member. Hunter Councils facilitates regional resource sharing to reduce the cost of "doing business" for local government through offering economies and efficiencies. Hunter Councils also has an Environment division that was created in 2004 in response to an identified need for expanded environmental management support and services to member councils.
The Environment division of Hunter Councils facilitated a regional working group in light of increasing tree/vegetation vandalism being experienced by councils across the region. Individual councils then decide if they want to adopt the policy and if it needs amending to suit the specific needs of their local government area.
Fore more about Hunter Council and the Environment division visit www.huntercouncils.com.au/environment/