Open Space and Trees Project

The State Planning Commission has 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 aims 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 include:

  • 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 will be 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.

Part 3: This part of the Project is currently on hold by the Commission pending the outcome of the planning system review by the Government’s Expert Panel.

Next steps

To progress the outcomes of the Project, the Department is undertaking a options and cost analysis to properly understand and inform any proposed changes to tree regulations.