Unley Council Buys Land to Save Trees & Shape Growth

In a bold move, Unley Council (Adelaide, South Australia) has spent millions acquiring small parcels of land, some previously run as car repair shops or residences, with the explicit goal of preserving tree canopy, expanding open space, and guiding how infill development happens.

The motivations are clear. Unley has very low open space per capita (only ~3% of its area is designated open space). They face pressure from increasing densification, tree loss, and rising urban heat. By owning land, the council gives itself leverage: it can decide how those lots get used (or not used).

One site, 85 Mills St, was purchased partly to protect three significant gum trees. Another lot at King William Rd may become part of future development, but under the council’s terms. A third—2 Marion St—was bought to expand Henry Codd Reserve.

From a planning lens, this is a smart hybrid of acquisition + control. It’s not simply condemnation or expropriation; it’s about creating buffers so growth can happen on council’s terms. The approach also signals political will behind green infrastructure and urban cooling.

Still, challenges loom: sustaining maintenance budgets, resisting pressure to monetize land, and balancing equity (who gets the benefit) will test this strategy. Also, while council control helps, much tree loss and development occurs on private land. Unley knows this, they’re exploring measures like a Tree Offset Fund to influence private development too.