Canberra’s landscape is enhanced by the trees and plants in public spaces and in our gardens. Our majestic eucalypts, beautiful autumn leaves and spring blossoms are part of our identity as the bush capital.
But our bush capital is facing new challenges: our trees are aging, our population is growing, our weather is changing, and extreme weather events are becoming more frequent and intense.
In the face of a changing climate, trees in our cities are more important than ever.
Every tree in Canberra – both on public and private land – is part of a forest. New laws have been developed to protect the forest that protects us.
Tree protection laws are changing
From 1 January 2024 new laws will provide greater protection for Canberra’s trees. The Urban Forest Act 2023 will repeal and replace the Tree Protection Act 2005.
The new laws will protect more trees by:
- reducing the size requirements for protected trees on private land
- protecting dead native trees that provide essential habitat elements for local fauna
- classifying all trees on public land as protected
- tree planting to replace lost canopy when a protected tree is approved for removal
- requiring a financial contribution for any protected trees approved for removal that cannot be replanted on site
- mandating the inclusion of Tree Management Plans in all Development Applications where a protected tree may be impacted
- introducing a tree bond system to ensure protected trees are not damaged during construction work as our city continues to grow
- increasing penalties for people caught damaging a protected tree or breaching a Tree Management Plan or direction
- expanding the ACT Tree Register which celebrates and protects our most significant trees.
Why it’s important
Trees in the urban environment offer so many advantages, it’s important that all Canberrans benefit from their presence in the places they live, work, study and play.
As outlined in the Urban Forest Strategy 2021-2045 (PDF), trees in the urban environment can:
- reduce the urban heat island effect
- reduce energy costs for homeowners, through reducing the need for air conditioning
- provide habitat for wildlife
- reduce stormwater run-off, keeping our lakes and waterways healthy
- reduce air pollution
- reduce noise pollution
- reduce erosion
- improve mental health and community wellbeing
- increase property values.
As Canberra’s population grows, more houses need to be built within the city’s existing footprint.
Without the right rules in place, a more densely populated Canberra could end up with fewer trees. This would increase the urban heat island effect and make our community less resilient to the impacts of climate change.
The new laws will help increase the number of trees and the canopy cover throughout our city.
Help protect trees, so they can protect us.
Information sessions
Thanks to everyone who attended our recent information sessions for key stakeholders.
One final stakeholder information session will be held in December for Builders, developers and built environment professionals. See details below:
Further drop-in information sessions will be held for the wider Canberra community in the new year.
