Conservation grants
Applications for 2024 have closed.
Applications for the latest round of Conservation Grants opened on Monday 8 July, but this round of grant applications for 2024 is now closed.
About Conservation Grants
Conservation grants provide homeowners with funds for heritage and representative building works, and the maintenance of significant and regulated trees.
We have made the process easier and more rewarding for Regulated and Significant Tree applicants. The maximum funding for tree pruning has increased from $1,000 to $3,000 and technical reports are no longer required from a qualified arborist for tree pruning applications.
Please read the Conservation Grants Policy(PDF, 294KB) for full details.
What has changed?
The report on the latest legislation regarding regulated and significant trees went to the Council meeting on 24 June 2024. Council’s Policy was updated to reflect recent changes in Regulations regarding the definition of Regulated and Significant trees, so that more trees are eligible for funding under Council’s Conservation Grants Policy because:
- Regulated trees are now 1 metre in circumference, rather than 2 metres.
- Significant trees are now 2 metres in circumferences, rather than 3 metres, and
- Maintenance Pruning can occur only once within a 5-year timeframe for both Regulated and Significant trees.
Key Dates
Applications were open for an extended application period but officially closed on Friday 16 August.
Current applicants will be notified of the outcome of their submissions during September 2024.
Important Information
Grant amounts
Conservation grants are available for up to 50% of the total cost of a single grant application:
- of a regulated or significant tree up to a maximum amount of $3,000 per application; and
- of a heritage place and/or representative building up to a maximum of $5,000.
Grant conditions
Grants are available only for the costs of:
- expert advice
- conservation and restoration of heritage places or representative buildings to conserve original elements or reinstate the original appearance and the maintenance thereof
- management and/or maintenance of eligible trees.
All conservation work funded by a Council grant must be undertaken by suitably qualified and licensed contractors.
Funding is not available for the removal of trees, or for inappropriate lopping, pruning or 'tree damaging activity' as defined by the Planning, Development and Infrastructure Act 2016.
Applicant quotes can include arborist supervision, if the person requires it during pruning, as this supports the pruning works.
Otherwise, it is no longer mandatory that owners of trees have an arborist supervise their works.
Council will require the photos detailing the proposed pruning, however, as this is in lieu of an arborist report.
Please read the full Conservation Grants Policy(PDF, 294KB), including the Eligibility section and Grant Conditions, before applying.
Additional information
Please note that:
- The applicant must provide two quotes for the proposed conservation with the application form
- When a Conservation grant is made, the applicant must accept the Council's right to photograph the subject trees, property and/or items, before and after conservation work
- Payment of grants is to be made only following inspection of the satisfactorily completed conservation work by a Council officer. Grant recipients are to provide receipts and detailed invoices before payment is made.
- The Council preserves the right to withhold payment of allocated grants if conservation work does not meet appropriate standards and/or differs from the work that was proposed in the application.
- Where other grant funding has been obtained for the proposed works, the Conservation Grant Policy will not apply.
Please read the Conservation Grants Policy(PDF, 294KB) , including the Eligibility section and Grant Conditions, before applying.
How to apply
1. Read the policy
Conservation grants policy(PDF, 294KB)
2. Check your eligibility
Before starting an application, phone the Development Services Team on 8372 5111 to check your eligibility.
3. Assemble supporting documentation
Significant/Regulated Tree
We require you to attach the following documentation for us to assess your grant application:
- Two quotes from tree pruners, including the cost of arborist supervision for pruning works
- Recent photos detailing the proposed maintenance pruning required.
Representative/Local or State Heritage Buildings
We require you to attach the following documentation for us to assess your grant application;
- Detailed description of the work
- Site plan identifying the location of the work
- Detailed drawings or photos as necessary to clearly define the scope of work
- Relevant plans and specifications prepared by suitable person or company
- Photos of relevant part of building
- Methodology or specification notes to detail the materials and techniques to undertake the works
- Two written quotes from suitable persons or companies based on the agreed scope of works.
4. Complete the form
When funding rounds are open, applicants can access a Conservation Grants Application form online. This form will be reactivated next year (2025) as more funds are made available.
For assistance and further information phone the Development Services Team on 8372 5111 or email pobox1@unley.sa.gov.au