(1) How much auditing of trees in school grounds has been undertaken since the start of 1997.

(2) Which schools were audited.

(3) What did the audit cover.

(4) Who undertook the audits.

(5) What were the recommendations from the audits.

(6) What action has the Government taken in response to the recommendations.

(7) Could a copy of any audit reports be provided.

(1) In 1998 formal procedures were put in place to carry out an audit of mature trees located in the grounds of all ACT Government Schools.

(2) All ACT Government schools were audited.

(3) The aim of the audit was to assess the condition of mature trees over 4 meters in height. Specifically it was to identify those trees that were damaged or diseased and which may pose a risk to person or property and to recommend remedial action, and estimated costs.

(4) Schools were audited by four organisations, namely Cityscape, Merringer Pty Ltd, Robert Boden and Associates, and Allcare Tree Services.

(5) Recommendations ranged from the removal of deadwood to total removal of trees in some instances.

(6) Each school was provided with the audit report and guidelines on how to proceed. Where works were less than $5,000 in total works were managed by schools and were to be undertaken or supervised by a qualified arborist. Financial assistance was provided to schools if the cost of works exceeded $5,000. Schools were advised to undertake all critical works as soon as possible.

(7) Each school received a copy of the audit report for their school. On average reports were around 8 pages in length. A copy of the audit reports could be made available either in total or perhaps on a nominated school basis.