In 2021, the State Planning Commission initiated the ‘Open Space and Trees Project’ to better understand the use and benefits of open space and trees in an urban context, and the impact of infill development on our urban tree canopy.
The Project aimed to provide the Commission with a suitable evidence base to inform planning policy review relating to open space and trees in urban contexts.
The issues and opportunities to be considered within the Project included:
- the impact of climate change and the ‘urban heat effect’
- open space and urban greening policy and its contemporary relevance
- loss of urban trees as a result of infill development
- the potential imbalance between the value of regulated and significant trees, and the penalties which apply for their removal
- inappropriate tree species included (or excluded) as regulated and significant trees.
The Project was undertaken in three parts:
Part 1: Review of regulated tree species and off-set contributions
Review trees that are exempt from regulated tree controls and quantify an appropriate off-set contribution for the removal of regulated and significant trees.
Part 2: Broader review of regulated and significant tree regulations
Undertake a comprehensive review of regulated and significant tree regulations and legislative measures.
Part 3: Review of urban greening and impact of infill development
Review the impact of infill development and the operation of the Commission’s ‘infill tree policy’ within the Planning and Design Code following 12 months of operation, with reference to the new Urban Tree Canopy Off-set Scheme. This review includes the fees set under the Scheme and the spatial application of the Scheme.
Additionally, as part of the preparation of the new 30-Year Plan for Greater Adelaide, commencing in 2022, the Commission will review the tree canopy target in light of data and methodologies available, and further investigate how the planning and development system can further urban greening outcomes.
Project progress
Part 1: During 2021, a desktop review of the regulatory tree controls was undertaken by Planning and Land Use Services (PLUS).
In addition, an Arborist Report (PDF, 8391 KB) was commissioned, which contains a detailed analysis of tree species exemptions undertaken in consultation with Green Adelaide, the Department for Environment and Water, and the State Herbarium and Botanic Gardens.
Part 2: In 2022, a broader review of regulated and significant tree regulations occurred.
A separate Research Report (PDF, 3334 KB) from the Environmental Institute of the University of Adelaide was commissioned to provide data and analysis of South Australia’s tree protections, as compared to other Australian states and territories including the size of trees protected and the various exemptions which currently apply.
The Commission provided advice to the Minister for Planning to finalise Part 1 and Part 2 of the Project. This included advice that:
- the size of tree protection triggers is too generous
- the exemption for trees located within 10 metres of a dwelling or swimming pool is too broad
- the offset fees for the removal of regulated or significant trees are inadequate
- the exempt tree species list should be reviewed
In May 2024, the Government implemented all of the Commission’s recommendations through amendments to the Planning, Development and Infrastructure (General) Regulations 2017.
Part 3: This part of the Project has been superseded by the Minister’s request for the Commission to undertake a comprehensive package of tree policy work. This package will also seek to implement recommendations from the planning system review by the Government’s Expert Panel.
Next steps
Following changes to regulated and significant tree regulations in May 2024, the Minister for Planning has requested the Commission to undertake a program of tree policy work, including:
- prepare a design standard to provide minimum urban tree planting and maintenance requirements for public areas in greenfield developments
- amend planning rules to also consider a tree’s urban canopy contribution as part of assessing whether it can be removed
- strengthen planning rules to support design innovation and flexibility to retain large trees
- investigate an appropriate assessment pathway for trees within 3 to 10 metres of a dwelling or swimming pool where offset fees are paid
- extend urban tree canopy requirements to greenfield developments in ‘Master Planned Neighbourhood Zones’ and townships
- extend regulated and significant tree protections to townships, capturing urban areas beyond metropolitan Adelaide.
The Commission will continue this important tree policy work through 2024, as part of its ongoing work on strategic Code Amendments.