The tree assistance fund is not available for:

• costs associated with removing a tree
• works that have already been undertaken or started
• repairs to infrastructure, private property, or vehicles for damaged caused by the tree
• works that will damage the tree
• root pruning

If you own a property in the City of Mitcham that has a large tree on your land you can apply.

A large tree is a tree with a trunk that has a circumference of 2 metres or greater, measured at 1 metre from the ground level.

Property owners can apply for funds of up to 50% or a maximum of $2,000 towards the costs of:

• An initial arborist assessment report of the tree
• tree pruning
• pest and disease control
• fauna support such as installing bird boxes or hollows

Once you have paid for the arborist report and completed works, you can claim reimbursement from us. Simply provide us with a copy of the payment.

If you need to apply for funding again, make sure it's clear that the work is part of an ongoing tree management plan.

1. Check you meet the minimum tree size and the funding criteria.
2. Apply for tree assistance funding. The application form provides a list of preferred qualified arborist suppliers for assessment and tree maintenance work.
3. Council will assess your application and contact you if successful.
4. Once you have received approval you can organise a tree assessment with the selected supplier, informing them that eligibility for funding requires an arborist report that contains tree maintenance recommendations.
5. The arborist report, when completed, will be sent to the City of Mitcham for review. If the arborist report findings recommend physical works, Council will be in contact and advise if the proposed course of action is suitable for progression. If approved, the resident may engage an arborist to conduct physical works. It is important to note that at this stage, the resident may need to acquire Development Approval. If planning consent is required to undertake works on the tree, the application for this consent/approval must be submitted via PlanSA, and approval granted before works can be undertaken. A PlanSA application is best managed by the assessing arborist.
6. Upon completion of the physical works, the final arborist report will be submitted to the City of Mitcham.
7. On completion of the works the applicant provides a copy of the paid tax invoice for both the report, PlanSA application if required and associated works and Council will provide the approved funding reimbursement.

1. The application is assessed on the contribution that the works will make to managing the risk of life or property, and/or supporting the long term conservation and protection of the tree.
2. All work funded by Council through this program must be undertaken by suitably qualified and licenced contractors. Funding is not available for tree removal or inappropriate lopping, pruning or works deemed to be ‘Tree Damaging Activity” as defined by the Planning, Development and Infrastructure Act 2016.
3. Approval of the funding does not confer any other form of approval (including Development Approval).
4. Council reserves the right to inspect and photograph the tree before and after the maintenance/management work is completed and may add it to Council’s Tree Management System (Forestree).
5. Any liabilities arising from the works that is financially supported by Council shall attach to the funding recipient and not to Council. Fees associated with Planning applications are not covered by this tree assistance fund.