All development within SA is governed by the Planning,
Development, and Infrastructure Act 2016. There are a wide
range of 'things' that constitute development.
'Development' includes 'tree-damaging activity' to
a 'regulated tree' (which includes significant trees).
'Tree-damaging activity' includes, among other things, the
killing, destruction or removal of a tree, the severing of branches
and limbs, the lopping of a tree or substantial damage to a
tree.
Put another way, if a person wants to undertake any of these
activities in relation to a regulated or significant tree, it is
necessary for that person to lodge a development application and
seek approval to do so.
In May, there were some substantial reforms to the act. While
these reforms will largely impact metro Adelaide, they are still
worth knowing about, especially as there is some discussion about
expanding these into some areas of the hills and also townships
more broadly. Broadly speaking, any tree
