If a Council-owned street or park tree presents an immediate hazard outside business hours, please contact Council's After-Hours Emergency Service.

When reporting an issue, Council will assess the circumstances to determine whether an inspection or maintenance is warranted.

Tree pruning will generally not be undertaken where the request is solely based on:

• Obstruction of a view.
• Reduced sunlight to solar panels.
• Leaf, fruit, flower or bark litter.
• Wildlife activity, including noise or droppings.

Requests are assessed in accordance with Council's tree management policies and risk assessment procedures.

Any required removal or major tree works will be carried out by qualified City arborist following an inspection.

If a Council-owned tree is assessed as requiring removal, Council will arrange the works and notify affected property owners where appropriate.

All tree works, including tree removal, must meet the criteria outlined in the Public Tree Management Policy. 

When requesting an inspection, Council will assess the circumstances to determine whether an inspection or maintenance is warranted.

Tree pruning will generally not be undertaken where the request is solely based on:

• Obstruction of a view.
• Reduced sunlight to solar panels.
• Leaf, fruit, flower or bark litter.
• Wildlife activity, including noise or droppings.

Pruning or removing a Council-owned street or park tree without approval is an offence under Council's Neighbourhood Amenity Local Law and may result in penalties.

To report unauthorised pruning of a Council-owned tree, please contact Council

Certain properties within our municipality have restrictions regarding the removal of private trees.

Certain properties or areas within our municipality have statutory planning scheme provisions regarding the removal of trees on private properties.

In order to determine whether or not planning controls apply to your property you should:

• find out more about the Greater Geelong Planning Scheme
• contact our Customer Service Team for more information if you are unsure of the restrictions on your property
• visit our office located at Wadawurrung Country, 137-149 Mercer Street, Geelong. 

Permit requirement

A permit is required to remove, destroy or lop a canopy tree in the Mixed Use Zone, Township Zone, Residential Growth Zone, General Residential Zone, Neighbourhood Residential Zone, and Housing Choice and Transport Zone.
 

This does not apply:

• If the table of exemptions in clause 52.37-8 specifically states that a permit is not required.
• To the removal, destruction or lopping of a canopy tree (other than a boundary canopy tree) identified for assessment in an application to which clause 54, 55, 57 or 58 applies and the tree is not removed, destroyed or lopped until the permit is issued.
• To the removal, destruction or lopping of a canopy tree (other than a boundary canopy tree) if the site is developed with an existing dwelling.

VicSmart application

Subject to clause 71.06, an application under this clause is a class of VicSmart application and must be assessed against this clause (excluding clause 52.37-4 and 52.37-5).

Download application form for a Vic Smart Planning Permit (PDF - 529 KB)