Tree Controls: Canopy Trees and Vegetation Protection Overlay (VPO)

There are 2 different sets of controls that protect trees on residential properties in Monash:

Canopy tree protections that apply to all residential properties
Protections of trees in areas of Monash covered by the Vegetation Protection Overlay

Canopy tree protections

Controls introduced by the Victorian Government now require a planning permit to remove, destroy or lop a tree in specified circumstances on residential land.

What does this mean?

This applies to all residential properties in Monash and means a planning permit is required to remove, destroy, or lop a canopy tree, if the tree:

Is over 5m in height
Has a canopy diameter of at least 4m
Has trunk circumference greater than 0.5m

This applies:

Anywhere on the site, if the site is vacant, or
Within 6 metres of the front boundary and 4.5 metres of the rear boundary where:

There is an existing dwelling, or one that's proposed to be extended.
The land is vacant or has an existing dwelling, and a planning permit application is being assessed for one or more dwellings.

You can also refer to the Monash Planning Scheme.

Planning permit exemptions

Residents are exempted from applying for a permit if you are removing, destroying or lopping a canopy tree that:

Is dead.
Presents an immediate risk of personal injury or damage to property, however only the part of the canopy tree that presents the immediate risk may be removed, destroyed or lopped.
Requires lopping or pruning for maintenance only, provided no more than one third of the foliage of the tree is lopped or pruned.

This exemption does not apply to:

Pruning or lopping of the trunk of a canopy tree.
Pruning or lopping that would reduce:
- the height of the tree to less than 5 metres, or
- the canopy diameter of the tree to less than 4 metres

Apply for a permit

It is the responsibility of the landowner to ensure a planning permit is obtained, or that an exemption is met prior to the removal of any vegetation. Landowners may wish to engage an arborist or other qualified professional to give advice prior to removing trees as illegal tree removal can result in fines and/or legal action.

You can apply to remove a canopy tree through our fast-track planning process, with decisions generally made within 10 business days. Applications need to include a site plan and reasons for removal.

When reviewing a permit application, Council will consider issues including the tree’s health, size, contribution to the neighbourhood tree canopy, and whether replacement trees are needed. This is also explained in the Monash Planning Scheme under Decision Guidelines.

All permit applications must be accompanied by:

Site plan and/or photographs that show the location, species, height and spread of the trees to be removed, as well as proposed replacement planting.
Cover letter explaining why the tree is proposed to be removed, including details of any related buildings and works proposed on the land.
Assessment of the canopy tree prepared by an arborist or other qualified person, if the canopy tree is proposed to be removed or lopped due to its health or stability.

In most circumstances a permit will be conditional on the planting of replacement canopy trees.

Vegetation Protection Overlay controls

In addition to the Canopy Tree controls, some areas in the City of Monash are covered by the Vegetation Protection Overlay (VPO).

You may require a planning permit under the VPO in addition to the canopy tree controls detailed above. If you require a planning permit under both controls, you need only make one application.

How do I find out if my property is in a VPO?

Use our map to check if your property falls within a VPO (select a property on the map, then the layer 'Planning Zone').

Do I need a planning permit?

If your property is in a VPO, a planning permit is needed to remove or destroy vegetation that is:

Higher than 10m, and
Has a trunk circumference greater than 50cm (16cm diameter) at 120cm above ground level

It is the responsibility of the landowner to ensure a planning permit is obtained, or that an exemption is met. Landowners may wish to engage an arborist or other qualified professional to give advice prior to removing trees as illegal tree removal can result in fines and/or legal action.

Planning permit exemptions

Residents are exempted from applying for a permit under the VPO provisions if you are removing a tree that:

Is dead.
Is one of these species: all types of willows, radiata or monterey pines, evergreen alders, sweet pittosporums and desert ash.
Presents an immediate risk of personal injury or damage to property, however only the part of the tree that presents the immediate risk may be removed.

Free inspection service for VPO residents

Council provides a free advice service to residents in VPO areas where residents are uncertain if a planning permit is required, or to confirm that an exemption is met.

This service is available to residents in VPO areas only and is not for people developing their land for the purpose of more than 1 dwelling.

Request an assessment from our arboricultural team, please provide all the information requested.

Request tree assessment

How do I apply for a planning permit

When applying you must include:

Current copy of Certificate of Title, including a full copy of any restrictions or covenants.
Site plan detailing the location of the vegetation to be removed and details of the species and height of any replacement vegetation.
Statement and any supporting information justifying the vegetation removal.

Apply to remove only 1 tree in VPO area

You can do this online via VicSmart Planning Applications (you can only lodge 1 VicSmart application to remove a tree within 12 months).

VicSmart Application - single tree removal

Apply to remove 2 or more trees in VPO area

Tree Removal Application

VPO tree removal decision guidelines

In assessing an application for tree removal in a VPO Council will consider:

Nature, significance, condition and quality of the vegetation.
Whether provision is made or could be made to establish and maintain vegetation elsewhere on the property.
Reason for removing or destroying the vegetation and the practicality of alternative options which do not require removal or destruction of vegetation.
Practicality and benefits of relocating significant vegetation.
Relevant planning polies and strategies.