Native vegetation is vegetation that is indigenous to Victoria. It includes trees, shrubs, herbs and grasses.
Native vegetation provides significant benefit to the ecosystem, including making land more productive, contributing to human well-being, and providing a habitat for animals.
Native plants can be challenging to identify. Before starting vegetation removal, landowners and applicants should get advice from Council or the Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action (DEECA).
Unless a valid exemption applies, a permit is required to remove, destroy or lop any native vegetation, including trees, grasslands, wetlands, riparian areas and reserves. This includes trees along fence lines between private and public land.
Regulations that relate to native vegetation removal are primarily implemented through local council planning schemes.
Tools and resources for applicants
Visit the Native vegetation removal regulations section of the Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action (DEECA) website for tools and resources to help applicants to prepare a planning permit application to seek approval to remove, destroy or lop native vegetation.
Key documents include;
- Native vegetation removal regulations - Applicant's guide helps permit applicants to prepare a planning permit application to seek approval to remove, destroy or lop native vegetation. The document focuses on Basic and Intermediate assessment applications, which do not require input from certified native vegetation assessors.
- Guidelines for the removal, destruction or lopping of native vegetation 2017 (the Guidelines) outline how native vegetation removal is assessed and offset. The Guidelines are an incorporated document in all Victorian planning schemes.
The Greater Dandenong Planning Scheme provides for vegetation protection in some areas. There may also be agreements or covenants on land titles relating to vegetation protection.
Before starting vegetation removal (removing, pruning or lopping native vegetation), you should contact Council’s Planning Department to determine the controls that apply to your land and find out if you need a planning permit.
Application assessment
Planning permit applications are assessed under all planning provisions that apply. This may include consideration of whether the proposal aligns with planning policies, zones or overlays.
The Guidelines apply to all land, irrespective of zoning and overlays.
In addition to the application requirements for the native vegetation removal regulations, further information may be required by the Greater Dandenong Planning Scheme.
It is recommended that applicants have a planning pre-application discussion meeting with Council before choosing a final design and making an application to remove native vegetation.
