The City of Casey’s commitment to sustainability and resource recovery has been brought to life through an innovative program which turns removed trees into valuable community assets.
For the past three years, Council has been repurposing urban forest timber to support nature play and other timber-based projects across the City’s parks and open spaces. Council manages approximately 340,000 trees across the municipality, with more than 2,500 trees removed each year from streets and reserves after reaching the end of their useful life or because of development and infrastructure pressures.
Rather than processing all material as mulch or woodchips, arborists have identified suitable trees and log sections for repurposing, ensuring these important community assets continue to provide value long after they have reached the end of their useful life. The successful program has reduced the need to purchase new timber while also lowering disposal and landfill costs associated with tree removals.
City of Casey Mayor Cr Stefan Koomen said the program has primarily focused on incorporating reclaimed logs into its playground designs.
“Among the largest projects completed to date are Baden Powell Reserve Playground and Betula Reserve Playground in Doveton, and Glover Reserve Playground in Devon Meadows. These projects have successfully incorporated reclaimed timber logs into nature play elements, creating unique and engaging play experiences,” he said.
“More recently, the Essex Dog Park project in Endeavour Hills has made extensive use of reclaimed logs, demonstrating how the program can be applied beyond traditional playground settings.”
Cr Koomen said the opportunities extend well beyond play spaces, with suitable timber also being milled and repurposed for fencing, bollards, signage posts and other public infrastructure.
“A project to be undertaken at Myuna Farm in Doveton will see milled timber from Casey’s urban forest used to upgrade pedestrian entrance barriers where visitors queue for entry. This is just another example of how valued community assets can continue serving residents in new and practical ways,” he said.
