Conservation Grants round opens soon

Published on 04 July 2024

Council recognises that the maintenance of both character and heritage buildings and large trees may result in greater upkeep – and thus costs - for owners. Retaining these important assets offers both environmental or aesthetic benefits to our city and whole community. 

Many Unley residents are fortunate to live in character homes or properties, many which have older trees. Financial assistance is helpful for owners to maintain their properties, to avoid costly works if repairs are left unattended, and maintain or increase a property's value and street appeal.

Regular pruning and maintenance of Regulated or Significant trees can benefit the local environment by increasing a tree's life span. 

Applications for this latest round of Conservation Grants starts on Monday 8 July for three weeks, and closes on Monday 29 July. 

Council has allocated $50,000 for Conservation Grants for the 2024/25 financial year. Amounts of individual grants allocated and specific conditions can vary.

Grants are available for up to 50% of the total cost of a single application: Regulated or Significant trees up to a maximum amount of $3,000 per application, and Heritage Place and/or Representative Building up to a maximum of $5,000.

*Please note that only a relatively small pool of representative or heritage buildings and characters may be eligible, so we strongly encourage potential applicants to call and discuss their eligibility before submitting an application.

What's changed?

At the Council meeting on 24 June 2024, Council’s Conservation Grants Policy was updated to reflect recent changes in regulations regarding the definition of Regulated and Significant trees, so that more trees are eligible for funding under Council’s policy because:

• Regulated trees are now 1 metre in circumference, rather than 2 metres
• Significant trees are now 2 metres in circumferences, rather than 3 metres, and
• Maintenance Pruning can occur only once within a 5-year timeframe for both Regulated and Significant trees.

All the details on how to apply are on the Conservation Grants page here on our website. 

If you have any questions before you start, please call Council's Planning & Regulatory team on 8372 5111.