Tree works permits

Canopy trees contribute to Boroondara's biodiversity, shade and privacy.

To find out if a tree on your property is a Canopy tree measure the trunk circumference. Canopy trees have a trunk circumference of either:

• 110 cm or more, measured at 1.4 m above ground level
• 150 cm or more at ground level.

If the tree has multiple stems, measure the total circumference of all stems at 1.4 m above ground level.

To find out if a tree on your property is a canopy tree, you can measure it using a tape measure or hire an arborist (tree specialist).

How to determine whether a single-stemmed tree is a canopy tree diagram.

How to determine whether a multiple-stemmed tree is a canopy tree diagram. 

If you have a canopy tree on your property, you need to:

• maintain the tree's health by hiring a qualified arborist to regularly inspect and prune your trees
• check if you need a permit to remove a tree.
• check if you need a permit to work near a tree.

You must get a permit to remove canopy trees even when they are dead or are recognised weed species. Learn about recognised weed species in Boroondara on our Manage weeds in your garden page.

Pruning or removing a protected tree

You need a Tree Protection Local Law Permit to:

• remove or prune a significant tree
• remove a canopy tree, including if it is dead or is a recognised weed species.

Canopy trees can be pruned without a permit but must be pruned to Australian Standard 4373-2007 Pruning of Amenity Trees. We recommend you hire a qualified arborist to prune a canopy tree.

Conducting works near a protected tree

You need a Tree Protection Local Law Permit for works:

• within 2 m of the trunk of a canopy tree
• within the Tree Protection Zone (TPZ) of a significant tree.

The TPZ is an area around the tree that needs to be protected to make sure the tree remains healthy. To find out the TPZ check the tree's details on our significant trees map.

Works include:

• building
• trenching or digging
• compaction
• excavation
• filling or storing materials and equipment.

Significant trees are trees we have identified as significant because of their impressive size, age, rarity, ecological value or cultural and historical significance.

A significant tree can be a single tree, an avenue of trees or a hedge. They can be on private property or public land.

Use the map on our Protected and significant trees page to find out if a tree on or near your property is significant.

You must get a permit to prune, remove or work within the Tree Protection Zone of a significant tree even when they are dead.

You must apply for a Tree Protection Local Law Permit online to:

• remove, prune or work within the Tree Protection Zone of a Significant tree
• remove or work within 2 metres of a Canopy tree.

Apply for a Tree Protection Local Law Permit

Documents to include in your application

Include with your application:

• a site plan or aerial image showing the location of the tree/s
• photos of the tree and any issues it's causing, such as property damage
• reports from experts who have assessed any issues related to the tree, such as a report from a structural engineer about damage to building foundations.

More information on the details expert reports should contain can be found in our Assessment Guidelines available for download below.

Please be advised that the decision to remove a significant tree under Clause 12(1)(a) of the 2024 Tree Protection Local Law may only be exercised by Council.

Permit fees

Permits are valid for 12 months.

What happens next

After submitting your application for a permit:

• A qualified arborist will visit the property to inspect the tree. We’ll contact you to organise the inspection if you have requested it.
• We'll review any supporting information you let you know if we need further information
• We'll provide a decision within 10 business days, unless we need further information.

Find out how we make decisions in our Tree Protection Local Law Assessment Guidelines available for download below. 

If you need further information or are unsure about whether you need a permit email [email protected] or call (03) 9278 4888.

If you can't complete works within the timeframe on your permit, you must apply to extend your Tree Protection Local Law Permit. 

For short extensions of time (less than 6 months) we'll require a date when the tree will be planted.

For longer extensions of time (more than 6 months) we'll require:

• a landscape plan or site plan showing the planting location
• details of the tree species that will be planted
• date when the tree will be planted.

There is no fee to extend a permit.

If we don't approve your application, you can appeal the decision within 60 days. 

Appeal Tree Protection Local Law decision online

Include with your application:

• your reasons for appealing
• new or supporting documents that you didn’t include in your first permit application (for example, a report from a structural engineer or licensed plumber, or building plans for a proposed new development).

More details of the information you should include with your appeal are provided in our Tree Protection Local Law assessment guidelines.

Expect it to take 2 to 3 months for us to assess your appeal.

Some trees are protected by planning overlays such as:

• Significant Landscape Overlay (SLO)
• Vegetation Protection Overlay (VPO)
• Heritage Overlay (HO).

These overlays mean the property has protected features. 

To find out if you have one of these overlays on your property visit the VicPlan website. 

The Boroondara Planning Scheme will tell you if you need a Planning Permit.

To apply for a planning permit visit our Apply for a Planning Permit page.

Find out how to apply for a Planning Permit.

You may need a tree management plan as part of your Planning Permit. To find out if you need a plan check the conditions in your permit.

We have guidelines that help permit applicants, planning consultants and arborists (tree specialists) prepare tree management plans. See our Tree Management Plan Guidelines available for download below.