Our commitment to building greener neighbourhoods together

Published on 24 May 2024

In 2023, we asked our community to help solve the complex and challenging issue of declining tree canopy on private land. We asked - How can we work together to build greener neighbourhoods?

Our community responded!

Throughout the five-step Shaping Unley Community engagement approach that was adopted to work through this issue, our community shared the challenges they faced in planting and maintaining trees, why they thought trees were being removed and ideas that could support them to increase tree canopy cover in their gardens and outdoor spaces. 

These ideas were reviewed and prioritised by two community panels, with a set of thirty ideas shortlisted for broad community testing. 

As the 12,000+ votes rolled in, the community’s prioritrees became clear. Their votes were coupled with the Community Panel’s feedback and used to inform a set of 20 community-led recommendations to increase tree canopy on private land.

We are proud to advise that all 20 community-led recommendations were presented to Elected Members and endorsed in a unanimous vote on Monday, 22 April 2024.

View the final set of recommendations(PDF, 302KB) endorsed by Council to support an increase in tree canopy cover on private land. 

Furthermore, on Friday, 17 May 2024, changes to state legislation were made that speak to a number of the recommendations Council endorsed to increase tree canopy on private land. View a summary of the legislative changes to tree protections.(PDF, 72KB)

Thanks to everyone who participated in the Shaping Unley Tree Canopy Project. We look forward to working with you to build a green, leafy Unley for generations to come.