Frequently Asked Questions

The '10/30 right' (Victorian Government Initiative) allows landowners to clear vegetation around their home for bushfire protection, without obtaining a planning permit.

• All vegetation, including trees, can be removed within 10 metres of your house.
• Vegetation (except for trees), can be removed within 30 metres of your house.
• There is also a fence line clearance provision of 4 metres for fences constructed before 10 September 2009. The determination of how the 4 metres occurs between neighbours is up to the landowners. The Council has no jurisdiction over this matter. Any vegetation (incl. trees) can be removed within the agreed total width of 4 metres along fence line. You must have agreement from your neighbours before clearing vegetation their property.

You can find more information on '10/30' and fenceline clearing at the Department of Sustainability & Environment website.

Think before you remove

While the '10/30 right' allows you to cut down vegetation without a permit, we urge you to consider all options before clearing vegetation.   

The widespread removal of vegetation, in the absence of detailed scientific research, could result in a range of unintended consequences including significantly increasing landslip risks, the destruction of important biodiversity, lifestyle and scenic values and the possibility of increased bushfire intensity. A significant body of science also indicates that the removal of canopy trees can actually exacerbate the impact of fires as a result of increased wind speeds and fire intensity. For more information, please download the facts sheets available on this page.

Removal of Trees/Vegetation Not Covered Under 10/30

Any work on trees located on private property and not included in the areas specified in the '10/30 right' information or in the Exemptions to Assessment and Permit Requirements must be inspected and assessed by a Council approved arborist.

To arrange an inspection of trees on your property, a completed assessment form and payment must be received before an arborist will attend. The inspection charge is $140 for the first tree inspected, and $70 for each additional tree inspected.

The inspection of trees on private property will usually occur within two weeks of your application being received.

Residents will receive a detailed report on the condition of the tree(s) and a recommendation on works required (i.e. tree pruning, tree removal, etc). Once residents have received the report and recommendations they can have the works recommended carried out, without requiring a permit under the Planning Scheme.

If in doubt, before removing any vegetation please contact us on 1300 368 333 or email us.