State Parliament’s Environment Resources and Development Committee (ERDC) today announced the launch of an “inquiry into the urban forest”, amid ongoing concern over the felling of Adelaide’s suburban trees for new housing developments.

The committee’s call for submissions cited a Conservation Council study from 2021 estimating Greater Adelaide is losing around 75,000 trees a year.

It also comes after an Adelaide University study released in September found South Australia’s urban tree protection laws are among the weakest in the nation.

Committee chair Jayne Stinson, Labor MP for the inner-suburban seat of Badcoe, said “urgent action is needed”.

“This inquiry is about finding practical measures to retain and grow tree canopy, especially for new infill development,” she said in a statement.

“We also want the right trees planted so they survive a changing climate.

“We’re also interested in strengthening existing laws to provide better protections to trees.”

The terms of reference for the inquiry are:

• Best practice and innovative measures to assist in the selection and maintenance of site-appropriate tree species to improve the resilience of the urban forest, with a focus on trees for urban infill developments.
• Legislative and regulatory options to improve the resilience and longevity of trees comprising the urban forest.
• Any other related matters.

The ERDC’s inquiry comes alongside two other examinations of South Australia’s tree policy.

The State Planning Commission is compiling a broader review of the state’s regulated and significant tree protections and expects to begin consultation next year on potential changes to tree regulations.

Meanwhile, an expert panel led by planning consultant John Stimson is undertaking a wide-ranging review of South Australia’s planning system, with tree protections among the major policy areas being examined.

The ERDC’s inquiry is accepting submissions from the public until February 24, 2023.