It is pleasing that the ACT government is finally looking at the rules around the protection of trees in the territory.
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The issue is a perennial one for Canberrans and understandably so given the excessive restrictions around the felling of trees.
The ACT's rules and regulations around what constitutes a "regulated" tree and therefore one that can't be cut down put a great strain on developers and homeowners alike.
The Canberra Times has over the years reported many instances of dangerous trees threatening to fall, or inconveniently growing trees limiting an energy efficient development.
What right really does the ACT government have to prohibit homeowners pulling down trees in their backyards they planted themselves?
The regulations around trees that must be protected in Canberra often prohibit or severely inhibit development in established suburbs.
Architects and developers lament these restrictions which limit the scope they have to work in and also in many cases the ability to improve energy efficiency.
It is also a continued annoyance to Canberrans that while they are restricted in cutting down trees in their own yards the ACT government fells trees whenever it likes.
Green spaces in suburbs long used as informal community parks are razed and apartment blocks built in their place.
The trees along the light rail route were deemed unimportant in the grand plans of the government and easily replaceable.
Why do homeowners not have the same right to simply replace trees with a new planting?
The new legislation set to fix the "anomaly" in the Tree Protection Act that did not allow for a merits review process of the conservator's decisions is a step in the right direction.
But the ACT government needs to look a bit further at improving the situation for homeowners when it comes to trees on their land.
