David Da Silva
Arboriculture Manager | Victoria Racing Club Limited
Tuesday | 11:30am | ARB Stream
TALK TITLE
Creating history through Trees
BIO
David Da Silva is currently the Arboricultural Manager at Victoria Racing Club, having previously worked at City of Melbourne and Hobsons Bay Council. He is also a qualified trainer and assessor teaching Diploma students at Arbortrim.
David has been in the Horticulture/Arboriculture industry for over 20 years. With a deep understanding of arboriculture and open space management, David leads teams in maintaining healthy, safe, and sustainable tree populations for municipalities and commercial properties.
David is adept at developing and implementing tree management strategies that balance environmental sustainability with client goals, ensuring long-term health and safety of trees while meeting regulatory and safety standards.
A strong advocate for the role of trees in enhancing public spaces, David is committed to creating green, resilient urban landscapes. Whether managing a municipal tree canopy, coordinating tree planting programs or overseeing tree risk mitigation efforts.
ABSTRACT
How tree management planning and implementation from the past, is helping shape the present and future at Australias most famous Racecourse.
Flemington Racecourse is one of Australia's most iconic and historic horse racing venues, located in Melbourne, Victoria. The venue is surrounded by lush green fields, Australia’s largest rose garden and several trees planted over 100 years ago. Effective tree management on a historical site such as Flemington racecourse is crucial for preserving both the ecological integrity and cultural heritage of this location.
This presentation will show how strategic open space improvements and tree planting
increased patron attendances from 7000 to 100,000 in the space of a few years.
I will also outline a comprehensive approach to tree management planning and implementation tailored to the unique challenges and opportunities presented by
such a complex historical site. We will explore the intersection of arboriculture and historical preservation, emphasising strategies for balancing the health and growth of trees with the need to maintain historical authenticity and introduce new trees into the
landscape.
Key topics include assessing the impact of tree health in a dynamic environment, integrating modern Arboricultural practices with traditional preservation techniques, and developing a sustainable management plan that aligns with conservation goals. Case studies from various historical sites will illustrate successful management practices and highlight potential pitfalls. Attendees will gain insights into creating effective tree management strategies that protect and enhance historical landscapes while ensuring long-term preservation in a complex and challenging environment.