Tree removal – how a few others do it

Bayside City Council (LINK) 

“There are 3 situations where you will need a permit to remove or prune a tree and/or vegetation on your property.

Your property has an existing planning permit, heritage overlay or significant landscape overlay.

A planning permit is required to remove, destroy or lop any native tree or plant (including ferns and palms) which is: 1.greater than 2m high, and 2. has a single trunk circumference greater than 0.5m at a height of 1m above ground level.

You may need to apply for a Local Law permit if the tree doesn't fall into the above situations and:

Has a single or combined trunk circumference greater than 155cm measured at 1m above ground level. If the tree has several trunks, the 4 largest trunks circumferences should be added together; or

Is planted in accordance with the replacement planting condition of a Local Law permit; or is listed on our significant tree register.”

 

Boroondara Council (LINK)

“You'll need to apply for a Tree Protection Local Law Permit if your tree is protected. There are two categories of protected trees — canopy trees and significant trees.

Canopy trees have a circumference of:

·       110 cm or more, measured at 1.5 metres above ground level

·       150 cm or more, at ground level

Meanwhile, significant trees are identified according to size, age, rarity, ecological value, or cultural and historical significance. To check if a tree is significant, you'd need to contact the council.

Canopy trees on private land in the municipality are protected by Council’s Tree Protection Local Law 2016. The Local Law provides for a maximum penalty of $2,000 per offence.”

 

City of Whitehorse (LINK)

“The City of Whitehorse has a number of overlays that protect trees and vegetation on private and Council land throughout the municipality. These overlays are intended to preserve and enhance the landscape within Whitehorse. 

New developments must be designed to be sympathetic to existing trees and vegetation including street trees on Council land, adjoining properties and your property. “ 

 

Maroondah City Council (LINK)

“A planning permit is required for:

·       removal of trees within a Significant Landscape Overlay (SLO) area 

·       removal of any native vegetation in a Vegetation Protection Overlay (VPO) area

·       removal of any native vegetation from a property greater than 4000m² (1 acre)n

·       removal of trees under the Heritage Overlay (HO)

·       removal of trees under the Neighbourhood Character Overlay (NCO).”

 

Yarra Ranges Council (LINK)

             “If you intend to remove trees or vegetation for any purpose other than bushfire protection you must:

1.     Book an inspection with our arborist for trees further than 10 metres from your house or vegetation further than 30 metres from your house.

2.     Fill out a tree inspection form and pay the fee for an inspection. The fee is $213.50 for the first tree and $93 for each additional tree.

3.     You will receive a detailed report on the condition of the tree and a recommendation on any works required.”

 

City of Bendigo (LINK)

“City trees may not be removed unless approved by a City arborist in accordance with the tree removal criteria stipulated in 2. .All trees that are removed will be replaced as close as practically possible to the tree being removed to ensure that there is no net loss of trees from the immediate area.

Tree removal will not be considered in the following instances: If the tree is considered healthy and structurally sound; if there is a safe and practical means for tree retention; for solar access; for unjustified property or infrastructure damage claims; to reduce leaf, fruit and litter debris; for causing minor allergenic and irritant responses; to minimise obstructions of advertising signage and desired views; for awnings, verandas and other projections over public open space; to reduce the impact from any bird/bat/other animal waste or noise; for superficial bush fire risk; if the tree/s provides an important biodiversity function such as recognised high conservation road reserves; for personal aesthetic preference; trees listed as a ‘significant tree’ on either the City of Greater Bendigo or National Trust registers.”

 

Northern Grampians (LINK)

“Under Clause 52.17 of the Northern Grampians Planning Scheme, a permit is required to remove, destroy or lop native vegetation on your property. The terms remove, destroy or lop include mowing, slashing, spraying with herbicide, pruning, digging out, raking, burning or the removal of timber. Native vegetation is not just trees but includes all native shrubs, herbs, climbers, flowers and grasses.”

 

Cardinia Shire (LINK)

“1 Breach of planning permit condition relating to protection of remnant vegetation: The Court fined the company a total of $45,000. Council and the owner have agreed to the making of an Enforcement Order which requires the owner to manage the road reserve for 10 yrs.

2 Native vegetation removal, and earthworks creating a dam: The Court issued a Warrant for arrest.”

 

… et al.

And also …

 

DELWP (LINK)

“Where an infringement notice has been issued for contravening a scheme, permit or section 173 agreement: Five penalty units in the case of a natural person. 10 penalty units in the case of a body corporate. (The value of one penalty unit is $165.22 for the 2020-21 financial year)”

 

 

Tree protection laws in Australian states and territories, a report by Michelle Lensink (MLC SA) for Treenet.org (LINK)

“In Victoria, permits are required prior to removal, destruction or lopping.

Penalties for breaches are through infringement notices and minor penalties, with larger fines for breaches of court orders. This regime has come under criticism because the largest fines only occur once it has come to the attention of authorities that damage or destruction has taken place and an order has been made, in other words, “after the horse has bolted”. Victoria could consider whether fines are adequate and whether the State government should play a role rather than leaving the action to councils to prosecute.”