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Planning Permit Checklist - Native vegetation

This checklist will assist you with determining if you require a Planning Permit for the removal, destruction or lopping of native vegetation and, if so, what information you need to supply when applying.

The checklist will assist you with:

  1. determining if you require a planning permit for the removal of native vegetation
  2. and, if so, what information you need to supply when applying.


 

Step 1

Does your proposed vegetation removal need a permit under 52.17 of the Planning Scheme?

 Please tick
Is native vegetation present? Yes – see below
 No – a permit under Clause 52.17 is not required
Help: Native Vegetation Information (DELWP 2017)
Is native vegetation being removed? Yes – see below
 No – a permit under Clause 52.17 is not required
Help: Guidelines for the removal, destruction or lopping of native vegetation (DELWP 2017)
Does an exemption apply to the native vegetation removal? Yes – a permit under Clause 52.17 is not required
 No – proceed to Step 2
Help: Greater Geelong Planning Scheme, Clause 52.17
Help: Advisory note: Native Vegetation Exemptions (DELWP 2017)

If a Planning Permit is required, the following must be provided:

  1. an Application Form completed and signed
  2. a recent copy of Title for the land (the search should be dated not more than 60 days prior to the application) including a copy of the diagram or relevant plan of subdivision and a copy of any restriction or covenant that may affect the land (A Certificate of Title may be obtained online or by visiting the Land Information Centre located on the level 10, 570 Bourke Street, Melbourne)
  3. the application fee (if applicable)

In addition to the above, the following two steps outlined below should be followed and the required documentation submitted:


 

Step 2

Requirements (all applications)

 Information attached?
(tick when complete)
Location
Written description of the location of the native vegetation (address, co-ordinates, longitude/latitude, closest road intersection)		 
Help: Online NVIM tool (DELWP)

Description
Written description of the native vegetation to be removed, including:

  • ‘Remnant Patches’ of native vegetation
    • Area in hectares
    • Number and circumference (in cm measured at 1.3m above ground level) of any large trees within a patch
  • ‘Scattered Trees’
    • Number and circumference (in cm measured at 1.3m above ground level) of any large trees
    • Species if possible
  • If it includes endangered Ecological Vegetation Classes
  • If it includes sensitive wetland or coastal areas
 
Help: Applicants Guide to Native Vegetation Removal (DELWP 2018)

Maps/plans
Clear and detailed maps or plans containing:

  • North orientation point
  • Property boundaries
  • Native vegetation (including remnant patches and scattered trees)
    • Remnant patches, including the number of large trees within the patch
    • Scattered trees, including their size
  • Aerial photography is possible (Google Maps or Google Earth).
 
Help: Greater Geelong Planning Scheme, Clause 52.17
Photos
Include recent and dated photographs of the native vegetation to be removed.		 

Topography
Topographic information can also be included on maps, or provided in a written statement, and should include details of any:

  • Ridges, crests and hilltops
  • Streams and waterways
  • Slopes of more than 20 percent
  • Drainage lines, low lying areas
  • Saline discharge areas
  • Existing erosion
 

Property Vegetation Plan
Does a Property Vegetation Plan (PVP) currently apply to your property?

  • A PVP is similar to a ‘Whole Farm Plan’.
  • Unlikely to be relevant to most applications.
  • If you are unsure of what this plan is, then a PVP is unlikely to apply to your property.
 
Minimise native vegetation removal
Provide a statement outlining what steps you have undertaken to minimise impacts/removal of native vegetation and biodiversity.		 
Offset Strategy
Outline how a compliant offset (commensurate native vegetation) will be secured to offset the impacts to biodiversity from removing native vegetation.		 

Defendable space
Is the native vegetation removal to create a defendable space for the purposes of bushfire protection?

  • If yes, include a statement explaining why removal is necessary, having regard to other available mitigation measure.
  • If no, the above statement is not required.
  • Note: This statement is not required in conjunction with a Bushfire Management Overlay application.
 
Previous removal
Detail any permitted native vegetation removal within the same property, with the same ownership, in the last five years.		 

Biodiversity Assessment Report
Use the NVIM online tool to undertake a Biodiversity Assessment. The NVIM online tool will provide a Biodiversity Assessment Report detailing:

  • The risk-based pathway of your application (basic, intermediate or detailed).
  • Strategic Biodiversity Score of native vegetation to be removed.
  • Offset requirements if the native vegetation is permitted for removal.

Submit the Biodiversity Assessment Report with your application.

 
Is your application considered Detailed? (see your above assessment report)?Yes – Proceed to Step 3No – Submit Application



 

Step 3

Detailed applications only

 Information attached?
(tick when complete)
Habitat Hectare Assessment
An assessment undertaken by a qualified and experienced ecological consultant using the Vegetation Quality Assessment methodology to assess the condition and quality of native vegetation.		 
Biodiversity Assessment
Provide an assessment of whether the proposed removal will have an impact on biodiversity, with specific regard to any rare or threatened species.		 
Help: Engage a qualified ecological consultant to prepare application
Submit applicationSubmit Application



 

Online tools


 

Notes

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 



 

Please note that this checklist is for standard information required for lodgement. 

Additional information may be required by the assessing planning officer after lodgement. Other controls in the planning scheme may affect your proposal. 

Please check the Greater Geelong Advertising Guidelines before submitting a planning application.


 

More checklists

Not the checklist you were looking for? We have a full list of checklists to choose from.

Common Questions

If you require assistance with your planning permit application our checklists and Planning Guide may be useful to you.

If you require further assistance or clarification please contact our Statutory Planning Department on 03 5272 4456.

Documents

Planning Permit Checklist - Native vegetation 123 KB | doc

Useful websites

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