Protect Victoria’s Trees for a Greener Future.

Our mission is simple: protect and improve Victoria’s vital tree canopy from unnecessary destruction. 
The ongoing destruction of Victoria’s trees is largely due to outdated tree management practices, especially around power lines and transmission corridors. Current regulations mandate excessive tree trimming and removal, even when safer, science-based alternatives are available. 
 
There’s an immediate, cost-free solution that will add $1 billion in tree canopy to Victoria, benefiting both urban and rural environments. However, this solution is being opposed by the Victorian Government. We’re calling for science-based practices and policies to save our trees, and we need your help. Lend your voice by writing to the Minister, your local MP, or council. 
 
Together, we can protect Victoria’s trees and create a greener future for all.
Lend Your Voice

Victorian Government Faces Backlash for Opposing $1 Billion Tree Preservation Proposal

A proposal being considered by the Victorian Government will deliver more than $1 billion in tree canopy value to Victorians in both regional and urban areas, preserve at least 10,000 trees in areas adjacent to transmission lines and improve worker safety and the reliability of the rural network.

How and when trees are trimmed or removed around powerlines is determined by a Code of Practice under the relevant state legislation. Every 5 years the Code is reviewed and now is the opportunity to align the with current scientific knowledge and local and interstate experience. 

The Victorian Government is seeking to overturn an overwhelmingly endorsed recommendation from its own expert review committee (ELCCC) comprised of industry and technical experts and globally recognised botanist and ecologist, Victorian, Dr Greg Moore OAM. 

The proposal, at no cost to taxpayers, aims to reduce the amount of tree trimming around power lines across urban and regional areas and around transmission lines.  

However, this unanimously endorsed proposal is being opposed by Electricity Safe Victoria (ESV), under portfolio Minister Lily D’Ambrosio, Minister for Climate Action. Despite 6 months of interaction between the committee and the ESV, no explanation has been offered for the opposition.

Our campaign is supported by:

Arboriculture Australia

“As the peak body representing arborists across Australia, Arboriculture Australia advocate for nationally harmonised and evidence-based electrical line clearance regulations across all states. We support the recommendations made by the ELCCC to strike a better balance between safety, amenity and the environment so that we can stem the loss of unnecessary vegetation removal.”

TREENET

TREENET supports increasing our tree canopy. South Australia’s Electricity (Principles of Vegetation Clearance) Regulations 2021 prescribe smaller clearances than those enforced in Victoria, with lower voltage conductors in many areas not cleared unless they are distorted by branch contact. Asset and risk managers should be asking why Victorian arborists are still being placed at risk pruning clearances around lower voltage conductors when SA regulations have shown it’s not necessary.