ArbWest

A big thank you to our valued partners, Monitor and Avant Equipment Australia, for hosting the ArbWest General Meeting last night.
The evening brought together arboriculture professionals for valuable discussions on key issues affecting our industry, including the ongoing management of the Polyphagous Shot-Hole Borer (PSHB) and evolving local government tree regulations.

It's always encouraging to see industry partners engaging in these important conversations. Here's what the team at Avant had to say about the event.
😊

Don’t miss our General Meeting with industry experts!

Senior Arborist Matthew Clark (pictured) will provide an update on the City of Vincent’s response to the Polyphagous Shot-Hole Borer, including current management efforts, challenges, and lessons learned as the City continues to address this significant biosecurity threat to Perth’s urban forest.
We will also outline a proposed training session for Arborists on the process to identify, collect and treat in July/ August 2026.

Mingle with friends, connect with industry leaders, and catch up on the latest arboriculture news. Non-members are welcome — come along, network, and enjoy!

Food and drinks provided.

When: 5pm for a 5.30 start- 8pm finish
Where: The meeting with be held at ArbWest partner Monitor’s office, in 11 Reihill Road, Maddington 6109
Date: Wednesday 24 June 2026

RSVP - Please reply to [email protected]
More information here. https://www.arbwest.com.au/seminars

🌳 WOW! A huge win for trees in Western Australia! 🌳

In landmark news, the State Administrative Tribunal has upheld the Town of Bassendean's decision to protect a regulated tree on private property – a first for local government in WA and a major milestone for urban canopy protection.
The decision sends a powerful message that mature trees matter and that thoughtful development and tree retention can go hand in hand.

ArbWest President Dave Crispin welcomed the ruling.
"This is a significant moment for urban forestry in Western Australia. It gives local governments greater confidence to protect mature trees and recognises the enormous value they bring to cooler, greener and more liveable communities. We congratulate the Town of Bassendean on this outstanding result."

Congratulations to everyone involved in achieving this landmark outcome. This is a big step forward for tree retention across WA! 🌿👏

Read the full story here:
https://www.bassendean.wa.gov.au/news/landmark-sat-ruling-supports-bassendean-tree-protection-policy/1249

The National Conference is coming to Perth next year! Super Early Bird deals are now available, until 30th June.
More information and register here:
https://www.trees.org.au/arb-aus-conference

🚨 Free Online Webinar: PSHB Awareness for Arborists presented by Arb Australia
Learn what to look for, what to do if you suspect PSHB, and how our industry can help protect Australia’s trees through early detection and reporting.
📅 2.00pm (AEST), Tuesday 14 July,
🌿 Free online webinar
🌿 Open Australia-wide
🌿 Essential knowledge for arborists and tree managers
👉 Register for the webinar here: beb8e3ac-90f5-4bf1-aca0-5721c873a667@aad6eae0-1b21-4d65-b185-c0a87c016d8f" rel="ugc" target="_blank">https://events.teams.microsoft.com/event/beb8e3ac-90f5-4bf1-aca0-5721c873a667@aad6eae0-1b21-4d65-b185-c0a87c016d8f

🚨 Free Online Webinar: PSHB Awareness for Arborists

Polyphagous shot-hole borer (PSHB) is an invasive pest that attacks a wide range of tree species and poses a significant risk to our natural environment. As part of our response, our team is focused on educating and training industry stakeholders on PSHB identification, management, and reporting. Although PSHB is currently contained in WA, the training will provide a solid background in PSHB Management in the event the pest breaches borders and spreads (we also include Risk Reduction and Mitigation practices your organisation can adopt).

Learn what to look for, what to do if you suspect PSHB, and how our industry can help protect Australia’s trees through early detection and reporting.

📅 2.00pm (AEST), Tuesday 14 July,

🌿 Free online webinar
🌿 Open Australia-wide
🌿 Essential knowledge for arborists and tree managers

👉 Register for the webinar: https://loom.ly/_hfzp-0

Welcome to our General Meeting!

Get the latest ArbWest updates, hear from our guest speakers,
and stay informed on what's happening in the arboriculture
industry.
Mingle with friends, connect with industry leaders, and catch up
on the latest arboriculture news.
Non-members are welcome — come along, network, and enjoy!
Food and drinks provided.

When: 5pm for a 5.30 start- 8pm finish
Where: Monitor, 11 Reihill Road, Maddington 6109
Date: Wednesday 24 june 2026
RSVP - Please reply to [email protected]

More information here. https://www.arbwest.com.au/seminars

🌿 Tree Pruning with a Purpose 🌿
At recent ArbWest events including Arbor Day and the seminar From Seed to Strategy, one message came through loud and clear — tree retention must come first.

Modern arboriculture is no longer just about cutting trees. It’s about protecting canopy, improving tree health, creating habitat, and making smarter long-term decisions for our urban forest.

From rigging and habitat creation workshops at Arbor Day, to industry discussions around urban greening and canopy delivery at the WACA seminar, the focus was the same:
✔️ Retain trees where possible
✔️ Prune with purpose
✔️ Protect habitat
✔️ Deliver long-term canopy outcomes for future generations

Arborist Michael Byrne from CPD Tree Services explained:
“We avoid unnecessary pruning and look for alternatives to removal.”

Because mature trees are not just landscaping — they are essential infrastructure for cooler, greener and more liveable communities. 🌳
See the full story here:
https://www.arbwest.com.au/post/tree-pruning-with-a-purpose

1st photo (left to right): Nick Moore and Michael Byrne, both from CPD Tree Services

From Seed to Strategy brought together leading voices in urban greening to tackle one big question — how do we actually deliver canopy outcomes in Perth?

Held at the iconic WACA Ground in Perth, the venue was at capacity, highlighting the huge level of interest in the topic. Representatives from 17 local authorities and two State Government departments attended alongside arborists, consultants, urban foresters and industry professionals.

Josh Byrne reminded the audience that urban greening is no longer about awareness, but delivery. “Trees must be treated as essential urban infrastructure from the beginning of development, not added later as landscaping,” he said.

Nicholas Dufty from DPLH outlined the State Government’s plan to reach 30% canopy cover by 2040, including the Let’s Grow Grants program, stronger planning integration and long-term urban greening coordination.

Dr Freya Thomas shared lessons from more than 12 years of Melbourne’s Urban Forest Strategy, highlighting the importance of long-term planning, biodiversity, data and community involvement.

Sarah Allchurch from WATCA talked about the vital role of community canopy groups in raising awareness and advocating for change, warning that despite canopy targets, we are still designing canopy loss into new suburbs. “Perth has the lowest canopy cover of any Australian capital,” she said.

ArbWest President Dave Crispin said the seminar highlighted the growing momentum behind urban greening in WA. “It was good to see industry, local government and State Government all in the same room focused on the future of Perth’s canopy,” he said.

Organiser Nick Hayes said the event showed there is real optimism around delivering better canopy outcomes. “There is strong collaboration building across the sector, and together we can help create a greener, cooler and more liveable Perth for future generations,” he said.

Sponsored by Vermeer WA & NT

Photos:
1. Josh Byrne and Sarah Allchurch
2. Organisers and presenters, left to right: Joe Carriera, Pia Finnigan, Zana Sheary, Nick Hayes – all from ArbWest. Sarah Allchurch, Dave Crispin – ArbWest, Freya Thomas and Nicholas Dufty.
3. Freya Thomas and Joe Carriera
4. Nicholas Dufty
5. Dave Crispin and Sarah Allchurch
6-10 Attendees in the audience

🌿 This Wednesday – Don’t Miss Perth’s Biggest Urban Greening Conversation 🌿
Hurry — only a few seats remain for From Seed to Strategy at the WACA Ground. 🌳

Presented by ArbWest and Vermeer Equipment of WA & NT, this one-day seminar will bring together leading voices from government, arboriculture and urban greening to unpack WA’s Urban Greening Strategy.

Organiser Nick Hayes (pictured) said:
“This day is not about ambition. It’s about delivery. Delivering canopy outcomes doesn’t sit with one profession. It takes planners, engineers, local government, industry and arborists. And importantly it takes alignment across all of those groups.”
This, and much more, will be discussed on Wednesday.

🌱 Featuring:
• Dr Josh Byrne
• Dr Freya Thomas
• Sarah Allchurch
• Nicholas Dufty
• Live panel discussion with audience engagement

📍 WACA Ground, Perth
📅 Wednesday 20 May 2026
⏰ 8:00am – 4:00pm

Secure your place now before registrations close:
arbwest.com.au/from-seed-to-strategy

Vermeer WA & NT Hayes Tree Care