Commenting on the story: ‘Environmental challenge’: Govt concern over trees axed for housing

This has been a significant issue in part of West Torrens since the new State Government development laws were introduced in 2014.

Our Council has significantly increased spending on planting new trees but cannot keep pace with the loss of private green space and trees. I would welcome tree reforms that tipped the balance towards a more reasonable outcome for our environment. – John Woodward, West Torrens councillor

Blocks can be cleared before plans for building go to the council. This happened in Holdfast council area.

I contacted the council as I could see the house debris being pushed up against a large tree. The council was unaware of the clearing. By the afternoon the large tree was gone.

Saving the existing trees is the answer. Developers are only looking at dollars and building paved, treeless concrete blocks. They are not interested in the environment.

Planting new trees is good but they take years to establish and then provide a canopy of shade and homes for animals. Let’s hope the government takes this seriously. – Sue Erickson

It is not only the developers who need to make trees on private land a higher priority.

Saving a stand of native trees on private land, used by koalas and enjoyed by the local community, did not fit with the state road managers requirements for a sub-division of residential land.

The council and the landholder wanted to secure the trees’ future by an alternative (and safe) placing of the future driveway that required no native tree removal, but DPTI insisted upon applying their rules at the trees’ expense. – Rosalie Auricht

Trees are both the lungs and the “soul” of urban areas. How often do we read or hear of ‘the well to do leafy suburbs’. Are wealthy people more environmentally conscious? Or is it low funded councils falling down on their jobs?

Take away trees and we have a bleak, bare landscape: hotter in Adelaide’s blistering summers, open to winds. Yes, trees need better protection. But it’s also up to councils to step up roadside, shady tree planting and watering (where residents lack the common sense to water them themselves). In city CBDs, more trees are needed – and “green buildings” sporting “green walls” and planted balconies. – Robert Warn

This can be fixed easily, no consultation required. The state govt to have a minimum block size for councils in the greater Adelaide area, increase the block sizes for building and watch the loss of canopy stop.

No doubt the flash car driving developers and shiny shoe property agents will cry foul but we must very soon draw a line in the sand. – Brett Koch

Commenting on the story: Zero-emission buses and trains in Transport Dept sights

It’s good to see a Transport Department official say “we can’t keep building lots of roads”.  It would be great to hear a minister saying it too.

And it’s good to see the plans to decarbonise our public transport fleet. But decarbonising public transport and encouraging more use of public transport is really tinkering at the edges, given public transport’s share of trips in Adelaide is less than 10%.

When will we hear officials (let alone Ministers) say what transport planners have been saying in private for decades – that the only way to deal with congestion is to put a on price it.

With governments having to replace revenue lost from petrol taxes as the car fleet goes electric, surely this is the time that ministers should be openly talking about charging drivers who add to congestion. – Ian Radbone

Commenting on the story: Govt buys suburban block to save significant trees

Fabulous news. Wish this would happen more often. Great article too, well done. – Kate Denton

So good to hear of the government purchase of land to save two significant trees. It is heartening to hear Minister Champion speak up about the importance of trees to the ‘social ethos’ as well as to the environment.

As a resident, I marvel at some of the magnificent large trees throughout the Black Forest suburb on private land, and grieve to see so many disappearing caused by infill housing.

Could not the government consider elevating incentives to encourage redevelopment of large blocks of land with higher density housing designs including protection for existing long-living, oxygen pumping shade givers? And substantive planning policies to improve canopy cover retention for an invigorated growth of social ethos and environmental benefits?

These measures would result in happier outcomes than our present low score on tree protection compared to other states in Australia? I live in hope. – Iris Iwanicki

This is the sort of action applauded when a state government listens to citizens and remembers its election environmental promises. Bravo Minister Nick Champion and your team. Keep up this action to protect the future. – Julanne Sweeney

Government at all levels as well as town planners and councils should hang their heads in shame for the lack of care for our valuable trees.

The new planning laws don’t improve the situation, the development of housing estates with a sea of roofs one next to the other just creates a heat sink and an unpleasant environment for residents.

The lack of primary consideration for green areas and public transport needs only make the situation worse. – George van Holst Pellekaan