Part 7 – Street Landscaping

7.2    Means of Compliance

7.2.1    Location

Trees and garden plantings shall be located so that they do not compromise the integrity and efficient operation of infrastructural services.

The minimum separation and site distances referred to in Part 3 of this Manual should be observed for tree planting.  These distances are guidelines and may have to be increased depending on the road geometry.

Alternative location and design proposals may be considered, such as provision of trees in a dedicated “non-services” berm, either side of a footpath.  “Curved” footpaths may allow for tree planting in groups, and may help to accentuate road groups and road perception.  Strategically placed grouped plantings of trees may be of greater benefit and impact than individual trees placed outside each house.  (Refer to Drawings DG 702–703.)

Where traffic control devices are required as part of the road works, they shall be planted as traffic island planting (refer to Drawings DG 704–705).

The Council will maintain an MPDC Tree Strategy that provides a useful guide to location, species and quantities.

7.2.2    Street Trees

Street tree planting is required to be provided by the Developer in all subdivisions incorporating new roads to vest in Council with details of the planting to be supplied at the time of application for engineering plan approval.

The following matters are to be considered for species selection:

• Suitability to environmental conditions, e.g. ground moisture, wind.
• Pest and disease resistance.
• Non-suckering habit.
• Longevity.
• Shading consistent with location.
• Minimum maintenance requirements.
• Compliance with Part 3 of this Manual in regard to sight distances.
• Minimal leaf fall in autumn (which can block catchpits).

The Council will maintain an MPDC Tree Strategy that provides a useful guide to location, species and quantities.

7.2.2.1  Species

Any new development shall use species selected from the street tree species  for the relevant neighbourhood.  Normally only one species will be used for street trees in any one street although this will depend on associated design requirements and considerations. 

7.2.2.2  Dedicated Tree Planting Corridor

A service-free corridor, minimum 900 mm wide, shall be located within the berm on both sides of the road.

Alternative tree planting areas shall be provided where streets are narrow or such a corridor cannot be provided.  Alternative areas are equivalent to 1 m² per metre of street length with any one area having a minimum site area of 12 m².

Areas protecting existing trees may be accepted as contributing to dedicated tree planting areas.

7.2.2.3  Location

Typically, tree planting locations should conform to those shown on Drawing DG 701.  Normally one tree per property frontage is acceptable.  No trees are to be planted within the SISD at intersections or within the minimum sight distance standards at vehicle crossings.

Refer to Part 3 of this Manual for visibility splay specifications.

7.2.3    Traffic Island and Berm Planting

Traffic islands and berms to be planted shall be shown on the Landscape Plans submitted with the Engineering Plans, and must have particular regard for the SISD and sight distance standards at vehicle crossings specified in Part 3 of this Manual.

All shrub and groundcover planting shall comply with the visibility requirements specified in Part 3.  Within all SISD at intersections or within the minimum sight distance standards at vehicle crossings, planting shall be designed to be no more than 450 mm high.  In front of low sign boards at intersections, planting shall be designed to be not more than 100 mm high or these areas are to be paved.

In general, traffic islands with an infill area of less than 4 m² shall not be planted.  The width of the planted area should not be less than 600 mm.  Tapered or curved areas should be squared off and paved or concreted when the infill width is less than 600 mm.  Single or isolated islands should generally be larger than 4 m² to be considered for planting, whereas islands smaller than 4 m² will be considered where they are an integral part of a larger landscaping scheme, or there are traffic engineering reasons for planting.

For roundabouts greater than 12 m diameter, it is preferably that 65% of the internal area be planted up with approved intersection plant species while ensuring that visibility splays, frangibility requirements and utility services remain uncompromised.  Tree framework, the centre of roundabouts greater than 12 m diameter, shall be planted with taller approved shrub and tree species to aid in slowing traffic and act as a visual nodal reference.

When planting in traffic islands, ensure that mature plants are at the required heights and at centres that will not spread over the back of the kerb and channel into the road lanes, with a minimum setback of 200 mm from the back of kerb.  This is especially pertinent in respect to flax species.

Likewise, plants are to be located at centres so that at maturity they cover as much of the traffic island planter bed area as possible to reduce weed maintenance.  Ensure that planting does not impair sightlines to road signs.