Guides to all Local Council Regulations

It can be tricky business navigating the many state and local laws that regulate pruning and removing residential trees in Australia. From identifying which council’s rules apply to you and finding the relevant information to working out what regulations apply to what tree species, it’s easy to get confused! That’s where Jim’s Trees and our expert local teams can lend a hand. 

Each local council has their own specific set of rules, permits, and application processes. The details of these are often obscured by technical language, spread among several legal documents, and tucked away in large files somewhere on the council website. Despite the lack of clarity, these laws are important for all homeowners and residents to be aware of before commencing any significant treeworks, including substantial trimming or shaping.

When you work with Jim’s Trees, we can help to cut through the jargon and get the answers you need. Local councils use tree protections to ensure that maintenance is done in a way that does not harm the ecosystem or character of the region you’re in. One common requirement of these protections is to have the work done by a qualified Arborist who will abide by Australian Pruning Standards, as all Jim’s Trees personnel do.

Why Does it Matter?

Regular maintenance, through pruning, trimming, shaping, lopping, and health assessments, is an essential part of keeping your trees healthy and safe. Plus, each species requires different levels of care and attention. This regular upkeep can have a range of positive benefits for your home, including keeping your garden, roof, and drains clutter-free, as well as preventing the spread of disease around your yard. 

Tree removal is another important element of preserving a healthy ecosystem and a safe community. Trees that have deteriorated through age, disease, damage, or neglect can become hazardous to any people, wildlife, or property near them. From falling leaves, sticks, and branches, to the entire body of a tree coming down, there are plenty of risks associated with trees in poor health. Cutting trees down, however, is heavily restricted in councils across Victoria and Australia. These restrictions are in place to ensure the preservation of the urban forest and to prevent unnecessary or irresponsible removal of healthy and beneficial trees. 

In most cases, you will need to apply for a permit from your council in order to remove a tree, especially if it’s a large, mature, native, or protected tree. These permits are often accompanied by application fees, but paying these fees is far less costly than the fines that can be imposed for removing a tree without a permit.

Victorian Council Tree Removal Regulations

To make this process as simple as possible for you, we have created guides for pruning and removing private trees throughout the local councils of Victoria and Australia. We’ve also included some handy extra tips, including:

• The benefits of pruning & removing trees for your community
• The tree protections used in your council
• What you need to know before beginning tree works
• Links to the necessary permits and extra information
• Insight from a tree specialist who works in your region

Major Councils Victoria