Unley Council investigates big rate rise for people who don’t have enough trees
Do you have any trees in your yard? Under an Unley Council plan, rates could increase as much as 15 per cent if your property is not green enough.
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Homeowners would be slugged up to 15 per cent extra on their council rates for not having enough trees on their property under an Unley Council plan.
The council would use the money to establish a “tree fund” that it would use to buy properties so it could plant trees on them.
The idea – which is currently being investigated by Unley Council staff – is aimed at increasing the tree canopy across the district.
Under the proposal, the rate increase of around 10 per cent to 15 per cent could be levied on either all properties or those with new developments – including small additions such as pergolas.
An assessment of each property would be done to work out its tree canopy cover.
According to a report by Unley chief executive Peter Tsokas, the tree canopy cover on private property is about 22 per cent.
The council wants 31 per cent canopy cover across the district, which Mr Tsokas said would require 27 per cent coverage on private land.
In his report, Mr Tsokas said the council should use the proceeds of the levy to buy land near existing reserves and walking trails on which to plant trees.
He wrote that it would create an “urban forest”.
Cr Peter Hughes described the policy as a “milestone” in a “long-term project”.
He said the loss of trees was a “disgrace”.
“We’ve identified a pattern over a number of years of annual loss of canopy on private land,” Cr Hughes said.
But Cr Emma Wright said the council should look at planting trees on verges and other council land instead of increasing rates.
“I feel like we must investigate this option thoroughly before we investigate financial disincentives for developments without adequate tree cover,” Cr Wright said.
The results of a feasibility study will be presented to councillors in September.