After years of advocacy, a draft significant tree register has been released in an effort to increase protection for 240 individual trees and 28 tree avenues in Baw Baw Shire.
Councillors unanimously endorsed the draft register be released for public feedback, with the eight-week consultation period opening yesterday.
Cr Tricia Jones said Friends of Drouin's Trees (FoDT) had strongly advocated for the register and accompanying planning scheme overlays for 16 years, "firmly believing that overlays are the only real tool that effectively protect significant vegetation."

An officer report said the rapid rate of residential growth had resulted