Council rules
Tree removal permits on the Sunshine Coast
Clearing a tree is development under the Planning Act, regulated by the Sunshine Coast Planning Scheme 2014, so whether yours is protected is the first question, before any price.
What the scheme protects
When a permit comes into it
The council says that where vegetation is protected, a permit may be needed for cutting a tree down, damaging its trunk, or pruning to the extent that the tree is likely to die. Whether that applies depends on what protects the vegetation on your block.
What can protect a tree
The vegetation management code in the planning scheme, a vegetation covenant, the biodiversity, waterways and wetlands overlay, drainage easements or development approval conditions. Any one of them is enough.
Along the boundary fence
The council says you can clear vegetation within 3 metres on your property side of a boundary fence where it is reasonably necessary, and that the neighbours should hear about it before you start.
Koala habitat
In a south east Queensland koala priority area the state's rules prohibit development that interferes with a koala habitat area unless it is exempt. Removing or cutting down native trees counts as interfering; lopping a tree does not.
Invasive trees
Camphor laurel, Chinese celtis and African tulip tree are restricted under the Biosecurity Act across the whole coast, and the council also lists cocos palm and Queensland umbrella tree among its locally significant invasive plants.
How it works
What happens after you get in touch
The council question is answered before the price, and nothing is booked until you have the quote in writing and have said yes to it.
- 1
Tell us about the tree
The suburb, what the tree stands near and what you would like done with it.
- 2
Someone comes to look
A tree contractor who covers your area sees the tree, the access and whatever is underneath it.
- 3
The council position is checked
Lot size, how close the tree is to the house and the mapping on the block decide whether an application comes first.
- 4
Quoted in writing
Scope, timber, stump and date set out on one page. Nothing is booked until you accept it.
Approvals
Koalas, Noosa and the paperwork
Does a koala tree have extra rules?
Yes, even when the clearing itself is exempt. The state's koala plan requires sequential clearing and having koala spotters present when koala habitat trees are cleared, whatever other exemption applies. Its exemptions include dangerous trees and a once-off 500 square metre allowance per premises.
Is Noosa Shire any different?
Yes. Noosa Shire Council's own page says its planning scheme requires a permit to clear vegetation on all private land in the shire, unless an exemption applies, and clearing within an approved building envelope can be exempt. Noosa has a page of its own on this site.
Who is responsible for a tree on the boundary?
The council points to the Neighbourhood Disputes Resolution Act, under which proper care and maintenance of a tree is the responsibility of the owner of the tree. Talking to the neighbour first heads off most arguments.
What does an application involve?
Vegetation clearing is operational work, so an application to remove protected vegetation goes to the council on the state's development application form, and the council charges a fee to assess it.
