Property owners are responsible for trees on their private property.
We encourage the retention, protection, planting and maintenance of trees on private property through education and advice, and providing encouragement and support for planting of new trees on private property.
Treebate: Tree Rebate Scheme
Take advantage of our private tree rebate scheme which opens from April each year. Buy and plant a tree on your property, and we’ll give you back half of what you paid - That’s a sweet deal.
Terms and conditions apply. Please visit the Treebate Scheme page for more information and to make an application.
Significant and Regulated Trees
The City of Charles Sturt is a well-developed urban area and trees play an important role in defining our City’s character. Council and the community value trees and landscaping for their social, economic, environmental and aesthetic importance.
To find out more about what constitutes a significant or regulated tree and requirements, including what activities require Development Approval, please read the Regulated and Significant Tree Fact Sheet.
To help preserve trees in our Council area we offer a grant to maintain regulated and significant trees, or large trees that would otherwise meet the definition. Head to the Heritage Conservation Grants page for more information.
Private Tree Maintenance
Property owners are responsible for the maintenance of trees on their private property. This includes ensuring private trees do not interfere with public spaces, power lines, or public safety.
- Vegetation around powerlines Vegetation around powerlines
- Overhanging trees on private land Overhanging trees on private land
- Private trees disputes Private trees disputes
You are responsible for ensuring that any planted vegetation near powerlines on your property meet the required clearance zones. Find out more by visiting Vegetation Around Powerlines at SA Power Network’s public website. Do not attempt to prune trees near powerlines or electrical infrastructure unless you are a suitably qualified professional. To request pruning of trees through powerlines contact SA Power Networks on 13 12 61.
If you notice a private tree overhanging onto public land and you believe a public safety risk is present, you can report this to us. Community Safety Officers will review these requests and if the overhanging tree is determined to be causing a hazard, they will contact the private tree owner and request the tree to be pruned back for public safety.
To report a tree that requires Council attention, please email us at council@charlessturt.sa.gov.au. Note the specific address where the tree is coming from, nature of the request and your contact details, photographs can also be useful.
If you or your neighbour engage in a disagreement about a private tree matter that is not able to be resolved amicably, the matter may have to be escalated to the Civil Court by either party so that it can be resolved. The most common tree problems between neighbours include overhanging branches, tree litter, shading, and invasive tree species or tree roots.
The Legal Services Commission of South Australia’s Trees and the Law booklet can provide information on:
- Who is legally responsible
- What the affected neighbour can do
- How you can help avoid future problems
- Where to get help
For more information about your rights head to the Legal Services Commission’s Trees webpage or call the free legal helpline on 1300 366 424.