Roots, pipes and protected trees
The City of Salisbury lists severing large roots, or causing substantial damage to a regulated or significant tree's root system, as activity that needs development approval before it starts.
It also says root damage to underground pipes or paving is not, by itself, enough to justify removing such a tree. A tree is regulated when its trunk is 1 metre or more around, measured 1 metre up. Pipe relining can seal a root-damaged pipe from inside, and our tree roots page compares the options.
Salisbury facts
City of Salisbury
In the ABS 2021 boundaries, the suburb of Salisbury sits entirely within the City of Salisbury's council area.
A mix of homes
At the 2021 Census, 61.3% of occupied homes in the suburb were separate houses, 23.9% semis, terraces or townhouses and 14.6% flats or apartments.
Many renters
42.2% of the suburb's homes were rented, well above the state's 27.6%. The median age was 37.
Sewer capacity work
SA Water is building two 15 million litre storage tanks on Kaurna Avenue, linked to the Salisbury Trunk Main, to secure wastewater services and support growth in the council area.
Frost in the north
Adelaide's northern suburbs get more frost than the city. At Parafield Airport, the Bureau records an average of 1.4 days a year at 0°C or below, over 70 years. Lag exposed pipes and outdoor taps, and know where your meter is. See burst pipes.
Who owns which pipe
SA Water runs the sewer, but we couldn't confirm where its part ends on your block, so ask SA Water. Its inspection point can be inside your boundary.
Downpipes and yard drains feed stormwater, not the sewer. Tenants should report problems to the landlord or agent first. For a blockage, start with blocked drains in Adelaide.
What we would do
If roots keep blocking your drain, get a camera inspection and a relining quote before you think about the tree. Removing a protected tree needs more than a broken pipe as a reason. Talk to the City of Salisbury before any trench goes near the roots, and lag outdoor pipes before winter.