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The Tree Protection Act 2005 (the ACT) provides for the establishment of an ACT Tree Register across leased and unleased urban land which identifies and protects trees of exceptional value. For more information click on the ACT Provisional Tree Register and the ACT Tree Register buttons below.
ACT Tree Register videos
Meet some Canberrans who have registered a tree on the ACT Tree Register. Each one has an interesting story to tell.
Once a nomination has been received by Transport Canberra and City Services, the tree or group of trees will be assessed against formal criteria (PDF 89KB) (Word 16KB) based on heritage value, landscape value and scientific (including ecological) value.
A tree profile is prepared for the Conservator of Flora and Fauna (the Conservator, Environmental and Sustainable Development Directorate) who will decide if the nomination will be entered onto the Provisional Tree Register.
The provisional registration of a tree is for one year beginning on the day it is provisionally registered. Within this one year period, the tree(s) will be assessed by an independent tree advisory panel against the criteria outlined in the Act (see below). A final report is prepared for the Conservator who will make a decision to either fully register the tree(s) or to not proceed with the registration.
Registered Trees
Responsibilities after registration (including penalties under the Act) are outlined here.
A map of registered trees in the ACT can be found on ACTMAPi or here: (PDF 473KB) (Word 921KB)
Any unapproved activity that is likely to cause damage to a protected tree is prohibited. This includes the killing or removal of a tree, undertaking groundwork within the Tree Protection Zone, and any activity that is likely to cause the death or decline of the tree.
A Declared Site is an area of land that was once the Tree Protection Zone of a Registered Tree that was killed by other than natural causes. Approval is required to undertake groundwork activities in a Declared Site.
The Conservator may approve groundwork in a Declared Site if satisfied that the proposed activity, and any other prohibited groundwork done with or without approval in the past 12 months, would be less than 10% of the total area of the Declared Site.
