On residential properties it needs to be determined if there are any specific site controls pertaining to trees under the Whitehorse Planning Scheme.
If the property is within a Significant Landscape Overlay or Vegetation Protection Overlay, a Planning Permit may be required for tree removal and/or lopping. The current title of the land must also be checked to make sure there are no Section 173 Agreements with tree protection controls.
If there is a pending Planning application on the site or an application proposed to be submitted to Council within the next 12 months, trees should not be removed from the site until a final decision has been made on the application allowing the removal and/or pruning of specified trees.
On sites of greater than 4000m2 a planning approval is required under the Whitehorse Planning Scheme for removal of native trees (some exemptions apply).
On commercial land it needs to be determined whether there are any existing Planning Permits which provide tree protection on the site. The site also needs to be checked as to whether there are any Overlays under the Whitehorse Planning Scheme, because if the property is within a Significant Landscape Overlay or Vegetation Protection Overlay, a Planning Permit may be required for tree removal and/or lopping.
Please contact the Planning Department on 9262 6303 to check whether any tree controls exist on your property or see the Whitehorse Planning Scheme to check the zoning and whether any overlays exist on your property.
