Urban Forest Act 2023
| Urban Forest Act 2023 | |
|---|---|
| Australian Capital Territory Legislative Assembly | |
| |
| Citation | A2023-14 |
| Passed | 30 March 2023 |
| Assented to | 11 April 2023 |
| Commenced | 1 January 2024 |
| Introduced by | Chris Steel MLA, Minister for Transport and City Services |
| Introduced | 3 August 2022 |
| Status: Amended | |
The Urban Forest Act 2023 is an act of the Australian Capital Territory Legislative Assembly relating to the protection of the urban forest of Canberra.
Background
[edit]The Tree Protection Act 2005 mainly designated trees of conservation significance due to their natural and cultural heritage value.[1]
The legislation replaced the Tree Protection Act 2005.[1][2]
Legislative passage
[edit]The legislation was first introduced in 2022.[3]
Provisions
[edit]In the original provisions of the act, an individual would have to plant two new trees on their block for every established tree the Government allowed the individual to remove.[2] In the original provisions, dead trees were protected to provide more habitat for animals.[4]
The act requires that the tree canopy of Canberra cover to 30% by 2045.[3]
Further developments
[edit]In 2025, the ACT Government announced that it would update the law to include more "latitude" to consider if a tree was dead or not "offering any ecological benefit" in order to be removed.[5]
References
[edit]- ^ a b Zhang, Baige (1 March 2025). "Perceptions of trade-offs between urban forest ecosystem services and disservices: A case study of Canberra, Australia". Urban Forestry & Urban Greening. 105: 128711. doi:10.1016/j.ufug.2025.128711. ISSN 1618-8667.
- ^ a b Coleman, James (8 September 2024). "Government adjusts tree protection laws following feedback". Region Canberra. Archived from the original on 5 July 2025. Retrieved 5 July 2025.
- ^ a b Coleman, James (7 April 2023). "Government must replace all 'dead and dying' trees at Albert Hall, according to its own new rules". Region Canberra. Archived from the original on 5 July 2025. Retrieved 5 July 2025.
- ^ Mannheim, Markus (17 October 2023). "Growth of Canberra's urban forest stunted by poor weather, staff shortages and illegal removal of trees". ABC News. Archived from the original on 26 October 2023. Retrieved 26 October 2023.
- ^ Gore, Charlotte (8 April 2025). "ACT tree assessment and removal law update to include more safety considerations". ABC News. Archived from the original on 7 April 2025. Retrieved 5 July 2025.