Australian Capital Territory
Tree Protection (Advisory Panel) Appointment 2017 (No 1)
Disallowable Instrument DI2017 - 297
made under the
Tree Protection Act 2005, s 69 (Members of advisory panel)
EXPLANATORY STATEMENT

Section 68 of the Tree Protection Act 2005 (the Act) establishes the Tree Advisory Panel.  Section 69 (1) of the Act provides that the advisory panel consists of 3 or more members appointed by the Minister.  Under section 69 (2) of the Act, members must be appointed to the advisory panel for a term of at least 1 year and not longer than 2 years. 

Section 69 (3) of the Act provides that the Minister must not appoint a person to the Tree Advisory Panel unless the person has extensive experience in 1 or more of the following fields:
(a)	arboriculture;
(b)	forestry;
(c)	horticulture;
(d)	landscape architecture;
(e)	natural and cultural heritage.

This instrument appoints Mr Richard Hart and Ms Christine Rampling as members of the Tree Advisory Panel for two years after the date of notification.

Mr Hart has a Bachelor of Science and Bachelor of Forestry Science (Hons) and is a member of the Australian Institute of Foresters. Mr Hart has extensive urban forestry experience in the ACT, Tasmania and overseas; has performed the role of expert witness at ACT Civil and Administrative Tribunal (ACAT) hearings and has excellent tree assessment skills with particular knowledge of tree species suitable to the ACT region.  

Ms Rampling is a highly experienced arborist, has a Diploma of Arboriculture and is a member of Arboriculture Australia. Ms Rampling is a consulting arborist, has taught arboriculture and horticulture at the Canberra Institute of Technology, and has been called upon as an expert witness at ACAT Hearings and the NSW Land and Environment Court. Mr Hart and Ms Rampling both demonstrate strong connection to the ACT. 

Neither Mr Hart nor Ms Rampling are public servants.  Division 19.3.3 of the Legislation Act 2001 applies to these appointments.  Prior to making this appointment, in accordance with section 228 of the Legislation Act 2001, the Minister consulted the Legislative Assembly’s Standing Committee on Environment and Transport and City Services.