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How to identify regulated and significant trees What activities are not allowed with regulated and significant trees How to identify regulated and significant trees
A regulated tree is any tree in metropolitan Adelaide, Adelaide Hills Council townships and parts of the Mount Barker Council with a trunk circumference of 2.0 m or more (measured at a point 1.0 m above natural ground level). In the case of trees with multiple trunks, regulated trees are those with trunks having a total circumference of 2.0 m or more and an average circumference of 625 mm or more (measured at a point 1.0 m above natural ground level).
A significant tree is a regulated tree in metropolitan Adelaide, Adelaide Hills Council townships and parts of the Mount Barker Council with a trunk circumference of 3.0 m or more (measured at a point 1.0 m above natural ground level). In the case of trees with multiple trunks, signficant trrees are those with trunks having a total circumference of 3.0 m or more and an average circumference of 625 mm or more (measured at a point 1.0 m above natural ground level).
A significant tree may be listed in a local council development plan.
Some trees may be exempt from regulated and significant tree controls either because of their location or their species.
It is recommended you contact your local council to find out if the regulated tree legislation applies in your area or if a tree is listed in the development plan or exempt from controls.
For more information see the community information sheet (PDF 444KB).
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What activities are not allowed with regulated and significant trees
Regulated and significant trees must not be damaged. Tree damaging activities include:
- tree removal
- killing or destruction
- lopping
- ringbarking or topping
- severing of branches, limbs, stems or any other substantial damage to a tree including its root system.
It is necessary to obtain development approval from your local council in order to undertake any of these activities.
Maintenance pruning that is not likely to affect the health or appearance of a regulated or significant tree does not require development approval.
It is recommended you contact your local council before undertaking any work affecting a regulated or a significant tree to find out what can be undertaken and whether any exemptions apply.
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More information
On this site
Regulated trees amendment
Downloads
Media Release (PDF 109KB)
Guide for understanding the regulated trees process (Word 33KB)
For an alternative version of this document see
planning contacts.
Contact
Planning contacts