Canning Councillor Ben Kunze investigates paying ratepayers for trees

A council is considering a bold new proposal to give money to Aussies for one simple act.

A local council in WA will consider a bold new proposal to offer homeowners a discounted rates bill if they pledge to list and protect “significant trees” on their property.

The scheme, put forward by City of Canning Councillor Ben Kunze this week, is designed to protect and expand tree cover in the council area, which takes in Perth’s southern suburbs.

“Like several Local Governments across Perth, the City of Canning has adopted a significant tree register that provides added protections to the most exceptional trees across Canning,” Councillor Kunze’s motion states.

“The City has already registered many exceptional trees onto its register that are located on Canning’s freehold land and Crown land.

“The obvious challenge is attracting private property owners to nominate significant trees for the register, to help protect them into the future.

Canning Councillor Ben Kunze proposed offering ratepayers a potential discount of their rates bill if their add significant trees on their property to the council’s register. Picture: Supplied

“Private property owners are hesitant to nominate extraordinary trees on their property due to a perception that the value of their property will be negatively impacted when they wish to sell the property.

“I believe the City needs to seriously consider financial incentives to motivate property owners to place their eligible significant tree onto the City’s register.

“Specifically, the City should consider potential rate reductions or discounts, which would particularly resolve any issue of potential financial loss when the property went to the market.

The City of Canning council area takes in portions of Perth's southern suburbs. Picture: Google Maps

In a Facebook post following the Tuesday meeting, Mr Kunze confirmed the council administration would produce a report on the proposed scheme by March 2025.

“We need to protect what we have and so I’ve asked the CEO and his team to look at potential financial incentives to provide ratepayers who successfully nominate their significant tree onto our register,” he said.

“This may be a rate discount every year, so in effect the community will be investing into protecting the tree.

“It would provide an economic argument to stop these trees being removed in the future when a developer comes in wanting to build a new house.

“They would need to submit a development application to touch the tree and any clearing without permission would involve penalties.”