Importance of Trees
Trees are important in many ways: they play a variety of roles to support human and wildlife. Trees have many functions that include the provision of oxygen, food and timber, improving air quality, conserving water and preserving soil. In the built environment, trees help to ameliorate the effects of the urban heat island effect by offering shade and also beautifying the urban landscape.
Council Tree Policy Framework
Alexandrina Council is responsible for the planting, care, control and management of all trees growing on land owned or under the care and control of Council.
The management of trees on Council land is governed by the Tree Management Policy and the Tree Management Procedure.
The purpose of this framework is to provide a guiding mechanism for the planting, maintenance, conservation and removal of trees on Council land including parks & gardens, urban biodiversity reserves, rural reserves, urban streets and rural roads.
Other Laws that Govern Tree Management
There are several Acts that govern the management of trees at the State and Federal level. Some of these Acts include:
- The Local Government Act 1999 makes the planting or removal of trees or other vegetation on a public road an offence if done without authorisation from Council.
- The Native Vegetation Act 1991 regulates the clearance of native vegetation, including trees on roadsides.
- The National Parks & Wildlife Act 1972 governs permits for collection of native plants/seeds.
Tree Planting
Council has an annual program of tree planting to help replace removed trees and to add to the number of trees that we already have in the district. According to the Tree Management Policy and the Tree Management Procedure, any tree that is removed must be replaced by two trees to compensate for the loss.
The Indigenous Plant Species list shows what species are suitable for different areas of the Alexandrina Council area.
The preferred street tree species list shows appropriate species for planting near infrastructure and in harsh environments which have proven to be successful in the Alexandrina region. This list has been prepared by Council's technical officers.
2025 Street Tree Planting Program
In line with Council’s A2040 Community Consultation and internal policy, Council's Field Services Team will be undertaking tree planting across some of our towns with less tree canopy. This program of planting will provide future canopy where it is needed most. The 2025 program has been guided by Council’s Canopy Baseline Study, recommendations of Council's Climate Emergency & Environment Committee and community requests. You can view Council's preferred species list for the 2025 program.
Requests for trees are accepted year-round and are included in the forthcoming program. Residents are asked to request street trees by 1 March of the planting year to take advantage of optimal planting conditions. After 1 March residents' requests will be placed on the following year's program.
For further enquiries regarding the street tree planting program, please contact Field Services by email at alex@alexandrina.sa.gov.au or call 8555 7000.
Tree Maintenance
Council is responsible for the management and maintenance of all trees on Council land, including those that have been planted by residents on Council verges. Residents and ratepayers are not authorised to prune or remove trees on Council land without prior written approval from Council.
In rural areas, trees that are native to an area are afforded an additional layer of protection under the Native Vegetation Act and may not be pruned or removed without prior approval.
Tree Removals
Council views tree removal as an action of last resort. In cases where there is no viable alternative to removal, a tree removal fee applies. Tree removal fees are only charged in circumstances where a tree on Council land is being removed to facilitate access to private property.
Tree removal requests which meet other removal criteria (i.e. public safety) do not attract such charges.
- Tree Removal Fee – charged on a cost recovery basis if removed by Council or at the applicant’s cost if they arrange removal themselves with Council approval.
- Tree Replacement Fee ($750 inclusive of GST) – This fee subsidises Council’s planting and maintenance of replacement trees as part of our annual tree planting program.
- Tree Valuation Fee (25% of the lost amenity value) – only charged where there is a reasonable alternative to tree removal such as the relocation of services or access points, redesigning of the proposal, use of an established cross-over if available and/or pruning rather than removal. This does not apply to the removal of pest tree species.
Download the application form Residential Landscaping Application here.
How is the Amenity Value of Trees Determined?
There is a method for calculating the monetary value of trees, which forms the basis of how Council valuates tree in cases where removal is the last option. This method looks at various factors such as the age of the tree, how big it is, the type of tree, where it is located and generally the beauty it adds to the locality. These factors are combined to give a monetary value of the tree. Council will charge a fraction of this value as a means of compensating for the lost value of that tree when removed. Currently, that fraction is 25% of the lost amenity value. However, the lost amenity value fee does not apply to pest plant species (e.g. acacia saligna (western wattle)).
Refer to Appendix B of the Tree Management Procedure for a detailed explanation of the valuation method. Below is a worked example:
Moreton Bay Fig
The Strand, Port Elliot
Planted 1879
Amenity value: $466,335
Lost Amenity Fee @25% of $466,335 = $116,584
