City re-roots its tree management policy
03 April 2022
The draft Urban Forest policy seeks to replace the current Tree Management policy, and is open for public participation since Friday, 1 April until 30 April 2022.
A decision was taken to review the existing policy, which has been in place since 2015.
The draft amendments seek to take into account the changing social, legislative and environmental context of the city, and can be adopted across City, public and private land.
‘With ever increasing urbanisation, it is important to find a balance between sustainable development, protection of the environment and creating quality living and working environments. We recognised that the existing policy doesn’t adequately cover all of these considerations, and that is why we are now calling on the public to give their inputs on the proposed amendments, which we believe offer a more holistic approach to tree management, but also our efforts to have Cape Town classified as an urban forest.
‘A lot of work has already gone into this project, including a tree mapping pilot project that was a first for South Africa. We are steadily making our way towards the 10% tree canopy cover that is required to qualify as an urban forest, and that is why it is important to ensure that policies are in place that will promote this mission. We have also seen increasing risks to the survival of our tree population in recent years, including bark stripping and the discovery of shothole borer infestations in some parts of the city,’ said Mayoral Committee Member for Community Services and Health, Councillor Patricia Van der Ross.
The current Tree Management Policy was applied and utilised predominantly within the operational environment of the City’s Recreation and Parks Department.
The draft Urban Forest Policy aims to develop a transversal policy that applies to the management of all trees growing in the city, including City, state and privately owned land, and can be utilised by all City departments and gives guidance to the general public and owners of state land.
As a result, this policy also aims to widen its scope by addressing the roles and responsibilities of private landowners, providing guidance in relation to tree management, as well as providing decision-making criteria to ensure uniformity in approach by all City departments.
Cape Town is one of hundreds of cities across the world affected by water scarcity brought on by climate change, and faces an even drier future.
For this reason, the draft policy also promotes efficient watering methods and alternative solutions to watering with drinking water, such as groundwater, rainwater, reclaimed effluent or other non-drinkable water, to ensure trees are watered and maintained to reach maturity.
The aim of this policy is to
ensure the retention, enhancement and management of the city’s urban forest;
ensure that the city’s trees contribute positively to the quality of the local environment;
ensure that trees do not pose a risk to the health and safety of people, or of damage to property;
ensure that trees are protected from unnecessary harm; and
provide for a uniform approach to the management of trees.
It takes into account the management requirements related to the full life-cycle of a tree, the conditions for tree removals, trees growing within the urban environment and the appropriateness of the selection of species, planting locations and local contexts.
The draft policy document is available here: https://resource.capetown.gov.za/documentcentre/Documents/Bylaws%20and%20policies/Draft_Urban_Forest_Policy.pdf
The public participation process started on Friday, 1 April and runs until 30 April 2022.
Comments, input or recommendations in the draft policy may be submitted by:
Email: arborist@capetown.gov.za
Website: www.capetown.gov.za/haveyoursay
Hand: at your nearest subcouncil office
Special assistance will be given to people who cannot read or write, people with disabilities and other disadvantaged groups who are unable to submit written comments to have their recommendations, input or comments recorded and submitted to the municipality.
Contact anthea.bendie@capetown.gov.za for assistance.
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Published by:
City of Cape Town, Media Office
