Manningham City Council covers a large area on the outskirts of Metropolitan Melbourne with large open public spaces that are heavily vegetated (e.g., public walking trails such as Ruffey Creek Trail). In addition, Council is responsible for maintaining the approximately 80,000 urban street trees within the municipality (e.g., trees in residential and other occupied areas).

On 3 April 2020, Mrs Elaine Betty Sime passed away after being admitted to hospital the day earlier with injuries sustained from part of a tree falling in her while walking at the Ruffey Lake Park Trail in Templestowe. Mrs Sime also suffered a significant number of bee stings.

Prior to the Incident, Council had an inspection program and applied a reactive approach to vegetation in open spaces such as the Ruffey Creek Trail and such areas were not expressly included in Council’s preventative tree management plan that focused on street trees.

Since the Incident, Council has undertaken a comprehensive review of its entire tree management program. The review has resulted in a consistent and proactive approach to the management and maintenance of all vegetation in the municipality. This was acknowledged by the coroner’s findings.

The Manningham City Council Tree Management Plan has now been endorsed and implemented. The Tree Management Plan is an operational document with industry leading process and best practices for the assessment, management, and documentation of trees within Manningham.

Council regrets that the Incident occurred and would like to take this opportunity to extend its sincere condolences to Mrs Sime’s family and loved ones.