Native Vegetation Removal
Planning Permits
- Statutory Planning Overview
- Do I Need A Permit?
- Applying for a Permit
- VicSmart Applications
- Planning Permit Process
- Applications on Advertising
- Register of Planning Permit Applications
- Forms, Fees and Checklists
- Useful Links
- Building in a Bushfire Management Overlay
- LCAs and Building in a Catchment Area
- Removing Native Vegetation
- Subdivision
Native Vegetation Removal
If you want to remove native vegetation, including trees, shrubs and grasses, you may need a permit from council. Penalties apply for removing native vegetation without a permit. Make sure you know if a permit is needed before you start removing any native vegetation.
There are special controls in Victoria which ensure removing native vegetation doesn’t have a negative effect on biodiversity.
These controls aim to:
- avoid removal of native vegetation which makes a significant contribution to biodiversity
- minimise the impact on Victoria’s biodiversity
- ensure an offset is provided ie planting native vegetation equal to that which was removed.
You may not need a planning permit if:
- you are removing dead vegetation with a trunk diameter of 40cm or less at a height of 1.3m above ground level.
- you are doing certain building works while constructing a home
- you are removing the native vegetation to enable:
- – the operation or maintenance of an existing fence
- – the construction of a boundary fence between properties in different ownership.
Please note:The clearing along both sides of the fence when combined must not exceed 4 metres in width, except where land
has already been cleared 4 metres or more along one side of the fence, then up to 1 metre can be cleared along the
other side of the fence.- you are removing the native vegetation to enable:
- you are implementing fire protection measures
- the vegetation is on land less than 0.4 hectares in contiguous ownership.
A more detailed and thorough description of all of the exemptions from requiring a permit to remove native vegetation can be found at the State Governments Exemptions from Requiring a Planning Permit web page.
We strongly recommend you contact the Planning Unit to clarify if a permit is required on 5348 1577.
Biodiversity Assessment Report
If you need a planning permit to remove native vegetation, you must include a Biodiversity Assessment Report in your permit application. Find out how to obtain this report by visiting https://nvim.delwp.vic.gov.au/
Permit application checklist
If you want a permit to remove, destroy or lop native vegetation, you must submit the following information with your application:
- Native Vegetation Information Management (NVIM) – Biodiversity Assessment Report
- recent dated photographs of the native vegetation to be removed
- topographic information
- a copy of any property vegetation plan that applies to the site
- where the removal, destruction or lopping of vegetation is to create defendable space, a statement explaining why it is required, when other available bushfire risk mitigation measures have been considered.
- details of any other native vegetation permitted to be removed.
To find out more about state-wide rules regarding the removal of vegetation click on this link and it will direct you to the State Governments web page that provides detailed information about Victorian native vegetation.