CANBERRA’S MOST PROFESSIONAL, EXPERIENCED AND RELIABLE TREE SERVICES COMPANY. ZERO COST UNTIL JOB FULLY COMPLETED, CLEANED UP AND YOU’RE 100% SATISFIED.
FREE ONSITE VERBAL TREE CONSULTATION AND QUOTE FROM ONE OF CANBERRA’S MOST QUALIFIED ARBORISTS
Call us now for a free quote 1800 873 343
SERVICING CANBERRA, QUEANBEYAN, YASS, BUNGENDORE AND THE SOUTHERN TABLELANDS

Tree removal in the ACT – new regulations 1 Jan 2024

Posted on November 29, 2023 3:29 pm.

New tree protection legislation will be coming into effect on 1 January 2024 that will more than double the number of protected trees on private land, and provides increased protection for both private and public trees. You cannot do work to or around a protected tree that may cause damage to it and must get approval for work such as tree removal and pruning, utility maintenance or installation and building or landscape construction.  A tree on private land is protected if it is:

  1. is 8m or taller, (this is down from 12m or taller allowable up until 31 December 2023)
  2. has a canopy 8m or wider
  3. has a trunk circumference of 1m or more at 1.4m above natural ground level
  4. is a dead native tree that has a trunk circumference of 1.88m or more at 1.4m above natural ground level
  5.  was planted in the last five years as part of a Canopy Contribution Agreement (see below explanation).
  6. Is a registered tree – that is, the tree has been identified as being of exceptional value and is on the ACT Tree Register
If you gain approval to remove a protected tree you will receive a canopy contribution agreement. This will provide details on the commitment to replant trees on the block and/or make a financial contribution.

The requirements for homeowners (owner-occupiers) are:

  • replant two trees on your block, for each tree approved for removal – TreeWorks can organise this for you; or
  • if the ACT Government determines that it will not be possible to replant on the site, pay a financial contribution of $600 per replacement tree not planted. This equates to a maximum of $1,200 per removed tree.
Find out more information about your obligations at www.act.gov.au/treeprotection
TreeWorks will be able to advise you on trees that require approval and will be able to prepare and submit the application for you. In cases where a Tree Management Plan is required, i.e when new development or extensions to houses is planned, our Level 5 Arborist will be be able to provide a free quote to provide the report.  Fill in a form for a no-obligation tree removal quote