Conservation grants

Aerial view of Unley residential area showing rooftops trees and roads

Applications are currently closed

Applications for the latest round of Conservation Grants are now closed. Information on future application rounds will be published on this page.

About Conservation Grants

Conservation grants provide home owners with funds for heritage and representative building works, and the maintenance of significant and regulated trees.

We have made the process easier and more rewarding for regulated and significant tree applicants. The maximum funding for tree pruning has increased from $1,000 to $3,000 and technical reports are no longer required from a qualified arborist for tree pruning applications.

Please read the Conservation Grants Policy(PDF, 139KB) for full details.

 

Key Dates

Applications are currently closed.

Recent applicants will be notified of the outcome in February 2024.

Important Information

Grant amounts

Conservation grants are available for up to 50% of the total cost of a single grant application:

  • of a regulated or significant tree up to a maximum amount of $3,000 per application; and
  • of a heritage place and/or representative building up to a maximum of $5,000.

Grant conditions

Grants are available only for the costs of: 

  • expert advice
  • conservation and restoration of heritage places or representative buildings to conserve original elements or reinstate the original appearance and the maintenance 
  • management of eligible trees. 

All conservation work funded by a Council grant must be undertaken by suitably qualified and licensed contractors. Funding is not available for the removal of trees or for inappropriate lopping, pruning or “tree damaging activity” as defined by the Planning, Development and Infrastructure Act 2016. All tree pruning work funded by a Council grant must be supervised by a suitably qualified arborist at the applicant’s expense. 

Please read the full Conservation Grants Policy(PDF, 139KB), including the Eligibility section and Grant Conditions, before applying. 

Additional information

Please note that:

  • The applicant must provide two quotes for the proposed conservation with the application form
  • When a conservation grant is made, the applicant must accept the Council's right to photograph the subject trees, property and/or items, before and after conservation work
  • Payment of grants is to be made only following inspection of the satisfactorily completed conservation work, by a Council officer. Grant recipients are to provide receipts and detailed invoices before payment is made.
  • The Council preserves the right to withhold payment of allocated grants if conservation work does not meet appropriate standards and/or differs from the work that was proposed in the application.
  • Where other grant funding has been obtained for the proposed works, the Conservation Grant Policy will not apply. 

Please read the Conservation Grants Policy(PDF, 139KB) , including the Eligibility section and Grant Conditions, before applying. 

How to apply

1. Read the policy

Conservation grants policy(PDF, 139KB)

2. Check your eligibility

Before starting an application, phone the Development Services Team on 8372 5111 to check your eligibility.

3. Assemble supporting documentation

Significant/Regulated Tree

We require you to attach the following documentation for us to assess your grant application:

  • Two quotes from tree pruners, including the cost of arborist supervision for pruning works
  • Recent photos detailing the proposed maintenance pruning required.

Representative/Local or State Heritage Buildings

We require you to attach the following documentation for us to assess your grant application;

  • Detailed description of the work 
  • Site plan identifying the location of the work 
  • Detailed drawings or photos as necessary to clearly define the scope of work 
  • Relevant plans and specifications prepared by suitable person or company 
  • Photos of relevant part of building 
  • Methodology or specification notes to detail the materials and techniques to undertake the works
  • Two written quotes from suitable persons or companies based on the agreed scope of works.

4. Complete the form

Applications are closed.

For further information phone the Development Services Team on 8372 5111 or email pobox1@unley.sa.gov.au