Part I: Urban Design Guidelines for All Subdivision and Development in the District

8 Neighbourhood Design

8.3 Landscape and Street Trees

The standard and appearance of street trees, plantings, paving, walls, fences, seats and other structures play an important role in establishing the identity, quality, amenity, visual interest and character of a subdivision.

Developers should consider the following design elements:

• The streetscape should reflect the functions and characteristics of the road type.
• Incorporate existing vegetation where possible.
• Ensure that the landscape is sensitive to the character of the neighbourhood and preserves important views and vistas.
• Provide street trees and lighting to avoid interference with services, driveways and parking bays. Avoid locations where they will need to be removed at a future date.
• Provide adequate grass berms or tree-pits to allow the trees to grow to maturity. This may mean locating the street tree adjacent to the lot boundary.
• Ensure the species is well suited to local conditions, being tolerant of wind, frosts, droughts, and wet conditions, and is easily maintained.
• Ensure the trees have an appropriate height and canopy for the location, width of street, and for ongoing maintenance. Use larger trees on wider streets to create the impression of an avenue. Avoid low shrubs that block sightlines of pedestrians and vehicles.
• Where possible use locally sourced trees to enhance biodiversity.
• Ensure hard landscaping (paving areas etc.) is robust and does not place a long-term maintenance liability on the Council.
• Coordinate planting with seasonal and subdivision development/completion timings in mind.
• All street landscaping must be mulched.