Deadline: 30-Jun-23
The Safe Tree Program is now open to help schools manage high-risk trees on their grounds.
The Safe Tree Program (the program) is available to schools to apply for one-off assistance and advice in assessing, managing and, if required, removing high-risk trees where schools do not otherwise have the financial capacity to do so. Additionally, the program can assist schools in implementing the recommendations provided by a qualified arborist, when work is funded by the school.
Schools are required to manage trees on school sites as part of schools’ Occupational, Health & Safety responsibilities. Schools must engage an arborist to undertake an annual tree integrity audit inspection, following advice from OHS Risk Management Policy and Contractor OHS Management Policy.
Eligibility Criteria
- The program is application-based and open to all government schools.
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Financial assistance under this program is available when school funds (including SRP funding) are not sufficient:
- to engage a qualified arborist to assess the health of all existing trees on site
- to address the recommendations for tree works provided by a qualified arborist.
- Under the program, schools may also seek advice and assistance from the VSBA in implementing the recommendations provided by a qualified arborist when work is funded by the school.
- Note: If a school requires financial assistance to engage a qualified arborist to undertake an arborist report, they must obtain approval from the VSBA prior to engagement.
- There is no limit on the number of trees eligible for Safe Tree Program funding – the intent of the program is to prioritise the removal and/or pruning of all identified high-risk trees from school sites.
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Schools should not apply for assistance through the Safe Tree Program for:
- vegetation and grass removal or management
- tree sanctuaries or plantations as defined in the Plantations Policy.
For more information, visit Safe Tree Program.
For more information, visit https://www.schoolbuildings.vic.gov.au/safe-tree-program