Vegetation Protection Overlay

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PDF version of the text below: Vegetation Protection Overlay (PDF, 300 kB)

Significance of Vegetation
Is a Planning Permit Required?
What Needs to be done to Remove or Destroy Significant Vegetation?
Application Requirements
Decision Guidelines
Unanswered Questions?

Significance of Vegetation

Monash City Council has introduced a Vegetation Protection Overlay control into its new Monash Planning Scheme with the aim of retaining the municipality's "Garden City" image. The Overlay applies to all of the land identified in the dark green areas of the vegetation protection map.

Planning Permit approval may be required to remove "significant" vegetation in the Vegetation Protection Area.

Council will permit the removal of smaller vegetation, dead or diseased trees and vegetation that is identified as dangerous or being an immediate risk to personal injury or property.

Planning Permits to remove "significant" vegetation may be granted following detailed assessment of the vegetation, its location, its significance in the local environment and proposals for replacement planting.

The procedure for obtaining approval to remove "significant" vegetation is outlined below.

Is a Planning Permit Required?

A Planning Permit is required to remove or destroy any significant vegetation.

Significant vegetation:

has a trunk circumference greater than 500mm, (160mm diameter) at 1200mm height above ground, and
is higher than 10 metres.

within the Vegetation Protection Overlay area.

NOTE: This requirement relates to the whole property.

Significant vegetation does not include:

All Willow trees
Radiata or Monterey pines
Evergreen Alders
Sweet Pittosporums
Desert Ashes

Drawing of the significant vegetation described above

What Needs to be done to Remove or Destroy Significant Vegetation?

Step 1

Determine if a Planning Permit is required?

Is the property located within the Vegetation Protection Overlay Area?
Is the vegetation "Significant" as defined above?

If the vegetation is not "Significant", it can be removed without referral to Council.

Step 2

If the vegetation is "Significant", complete the Preliminary Inspection Request - Tree Removal form including details of the vegetation, a sketch plan of its location and a photograph for vegetation identification purposes.

Step 3

Lodge Vegetation Protection - Preliminary request for removal form with Council for preliminary assessment of the vegetation.

Council Staff may inspect the vegetation and will advise you if a Planning Permit is required or if the vegetation can be immediately removed.

Preliminary Inspection Request - Tree Removal form [.pdf] 41 KB

Step 4 - If a Planning Permit is required

Complete and lodge with Council an application for Planning Permit form with the relevant fee.

If necessary, Council will require the applicant to provide a report from a qualified arboriculturalist detailing their professional assessment of the health of the vegetation to be removed or destroyed and making a recommendation concerning the application.

Council will determine to either:

Issue a Planning Permit allowing the vegetation to be removed, or
Refuse to Grant a Planning Permit.

Application Requirements

An application to remove vegetation must be accompanied by the following information:

A plan showing the location of the vegetation to be removed or destroyed.
The type and quality of the vegetation to be removed or destroyed.
The justification for the proposed removal or destruction.
A statement of alternatives examined to removal or destruction.

Council may require a report from a qualified arboriculturalist detailing their professional assessment of the health of the vegetation to be removed or destroyed and making a recommendation concerning the application.

An application to remove or destroy vegetation in conjunction with development of the land must be accompanied by a site analysis plan and a written statement demonstrating how the removal or destruction is essential for the proposed development to proceed, including assessment of alternative design solutions retaining the tree.

An application is exempt from the notice requirements of Section 52(1)(a), (b) and (d), the decision requirements of Section 64(1), (2) and (3) and the review rights of Section 82(1) of the Planning and Environment Act.

Decision Guidelines

Before deciding on an application to remove or destroy vegetation, the Council must consider, as appropriate:

The significance of the vegetation and its contribution to neighbourhood character.
The reason for removing or destroying the vegetation and the practicality of alternative options which do not require removal or destruction of vegetation.
The practicality and benefits of relocating significant vegetation.
The condition and quality of the vegetation.

Unanswered Questions?

Should you have any questions regarding this Guide, the Monash Planning Scheme or the Vegetation Protection Overlay, you should contact Council's Town Planning Section.

Phone: 9518 3555

or

Call into the Town Planning Section at

293 Springvale Road, Glen Waverley.

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Updated: 3 April 2009

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