A Tree Offset Fund for Unley

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The City of Unley is committed to increasing tree canopy cover to 31% by 2045 to create greener, healthier, and cooler neighbourhoods. Trees provide vital benefits - enhancing urban character, supporting biodiversity, improving community health, and making our suburbs more liveable.

While Council continues to actively plant trees on public land, 80% of Unley’s land is not under the care and control of Council. To help us reach our 31% tree canopy target, Council is working with our community to increase the canopy cover on private land from the current 20% to 27%.

Understanding the need

A report presented to Council in August 2024 found that Unley’s total tree canopy cover for trees 3m or taller was 25%, a 2.88% increase (417,035 m²) on the 2022 canopy cover.

A February 2025 Council report analysing 2024 LiDAR data examined tree canopy changes on properties with development approvals that increased the built footprint from 2018 to 2024.

Four categories of development were considered: new dwellings, multi-dwellings, extensions and pools, and minor structures such as garages, sheds and verandahs.

Canopy cover was measured in 2018 (pre-construction), 2022 (during construction), and 2024 (post-construction).

The LiDAR data showed that overall, post construction tree canopy cover in 2024 exceeded pre-construction levels, as most properties with development approvals for additions, extensions, pools, and minor structures like carports displayed an increase in canopy cover post-construction in 2024.

In contrast, for developments of single and multi-dwellings, there was a significant decline in tree canopy and the majority did not reach the minimum 15% cover by 2024.

For more information, read Council’s February 2025 report or explore additional resources on this page.

What is the Proposed Tree Offset Fund?

As part of our ongoing efforts to protect and restore tree canopy cover, Council is considering a ten-year trial of a Tree Offset Fund to help offset tree loss caused by development on private land.

This proposal builds on the success of the award-winning Shaping Unley: Building Greener Neighbourhoods project, aiming to protect and restore trees on private land.

Under the proposed Tree Offset Fund, new developments that increase the built footprint either:

  • Maintain or achieve a 15% tree canopy cover on-site, or
  • Pay an additional 10% in rates until they meet this target.

Funds raised would go towards purchasing land in the City of Unley for tree planting and canopy restoration.

We want your feedback!

We’d love to hear your thoughts on:

  • How important you think it is for Unley to achieve its 31% tree canopy target.
  • How important you think it is for tree canopy cover on private land to increase from 20% to 27%.
  • Whether the Tree Offset Fund should apply to all development categories.
  • Using the revenue generated through the Tree Offset Fund to purchase land for tree planting.

While Council cannot introduce a Tree Offset Fund on its own, strong community support could help us advocate to the Minister for Planning for a ten-year trial, and also shape how the fund works - ensuring it is fair, effective, and supports Unley’s long-term greening goals.

How to have your say

You can share your feedback by completing our short online survey by no later than 11.59pm Wednesday 6 August 2025.

Your feedback is essential in shaping our advocacy efforts.

Thank you for taking the time to have your say!

The City of Unley is committed to increasing tree canopy cover to 31% by 2045 to create greener, healthier, and cooler neighbourhoods. Trees provide vital benefits - enhancing urban character, supporting biodiversity, improving community health, and making our suburbs more liveable.

While Council continues to actively plant trees on public land, 80% of Unley’s land is not under the care and control of Council. To help us reach our 31% tree canopy target, Council is working with our community to increase the canopy cover on private land from the current 20% to 27%.

Understanding the need

A report presented to Council in August 2024 found that Unley’s total tree canopy cover for trees 3m or taller was 25%, a 2.88% increase (417,035 m²) on the 2022 canopy cover.

A February 2025 Council report analysing 2024 LiDAR data examined tree canopy changes on properties with development approvals that increased the built footprint from 2018 to 2024.

Four categories of development were considered: new dwellings, multi-dwellings, extensions and pools, and minor structures such as garages, sheds and verandahs.

Canopy cover was measured in 2018 (pre-construction), 2022 (during construction), and 2024 (post-construction).

The LiDAR data showed that overall, post construction tree canopy cover in 2024 exceeded pre-construction levels, as most properties with development approvals for additions, extensions, pools, and minor structures like carports displayed an increase in canopy cover post-construction in 2024.

In contrast, for developments of single and multi-dwellings, there was a significant decline in tree canopy and the majority did not reach the minimum 15% cover by 2024.

For more information, read Council’s February 2025 report or explore additional resources on this page.

What is the Proposed Tree Offset Fund?

As part of our ongoing efforts to protect and restore tree canopy cover, Council is considering a ten-year trial of a Tree Offset Fund to help offset tree loss caused by development on private land.

This proposal builds on the success of the award-winning Shaping Unley: Building Greener Neighbourhoods project, aiming to protect and restore trees on private land.

Under the proposed Tree Offset Fund, new developments that increase the built footprint either:

  • Maintain or achieve a 15% tree canopy cover on-site, or
  • Pay an additional 10% in rates until they meet this target.

Funds raised would go towards purchasing land in the City of Unley for tree planting and canopy restoration.

We want your feedback!

We’d love to hear your thoughts on:

  • How important you think it is for Unley to achieve its 31% tree canopy target.
  • How important you think it is for tree canopy cover on private land to increase from 20% to 27%.
  • Whether the Tree Offset Fund should apply to all development categories.
  • Using the revenue generated through the Tree Offset Fund to purchase land for tree planting.

While Council cannot introduce a Tree Offset Fund on its own, strong community support could help us advocate to the Minister for Planning for a ten-year trial, and also shape how the fund works - ensuring it is fair, effective, and supports Unley’s long-term greening goals.

How to have your say

You can share your feedback by completing our short online survey by no later than 11.59pm Wednesday 6 August 2025.

Your feedback is essential in shaping our advocacy efforts.

Thank you for taking the time to have your say!

Page last updated: 22 Jul 2025, 11:32 AM