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Public submissions for Urban Forest Inquiry close Friday

Posted:
Wednesday 22 Feb 2023
Please note the content of this news item is over six months old and may no longer be current.
A big tree Cath Leo

Residents in the City of Marion who wish to have their say in a parliamentary inquiry into protecting Adelaide’s urban tree canopy have until 5 pm this Friday, 24 February, to make a submission.

State Parliament’s Environment Resources and Development Committee (ERDC) launched the “Inquiry into the Urban Forest” late last year.

The inquiry is looking at measures to assist in the selection and maintenance of site-appropriate species to improve the resilience of the urban forest and legislative and regulatory options to improve the resilience and longevity of urban trees.

Last week Council Members endorsed a City of Marion submission to the ERDC.

The submission highlights the significant issues the Council is facing in meeting community priorities and expectations around tree management.

Key issues include:

  • Dramatic losses of trees on private residential land with increased urban infill
  • Climate change placing stress on trees with increased heat, reduced rainfall and higher incidence of storms
  • The low diversity of street trees making the urban forest vulnerable to pests, disease and a changing climate.

The City of Marion made a range of recommendations to the ERDC including the need for:

  • stronger tree protection laws in the State planning system
  • increased State Government leadership and coordination around urban trees and greenspaces
  • increased species diversity in the urban forest
  • Utility infrastructure and trees to co-exist, rather than simply removing trees to make way for powerlines, roads and other grey infrastructure.

You can read the City of Marion’s submission in full in the agenda of the February 14 General Council Meeting.

You can find out more about the inquiry on the ERDC website or email your submission to ERDC.Assembly@parliament.sa.gov.au

Image credit: Tree on Minchinbury Terrace, by Cath Leo.



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