Canopy tree protection

Following community engagement, Council endorsed amendments to the Canopy Tree Protection Local Law to protect one of the most vulnerable parts of the urban forest — trees on private property and trees listed on Glen Eira’s Classified Tree Register. 

I have a canopy tree on my property. Do I need to do anything?

If you have a canopy tree on your property, you will need a permit to prune, remove, or undertake works within the Tree Protection Zone of the tree. 

What is the difference between a canopy tree and a classified tree?  

A canopy tree is:

• palm tree taller than eight metres measured from ground level
• tree with a stump circumference of 140 centimetres or more measured at ground level
• tree taller than five metres measured from ground level
• trunk circumference of 140 centimetres or more measured at a point 140 centimetres along the trunk’s length from ground level
• combined trunk circumference of 140 centimetres or more measured at a point 140 centimetres along the trunks’ lengths from ground level.

Once a privately-owned or managed tree or a palm tree meets these triggers, they will be deemed a canopy tree under the Canopy Tree Protection Local Law.

A classified tree is a tree that is recorded in the Classified Tree Register. The Classified Tree Register is an evolving list of the most valuable and important trees in our city and acknowledges and documents trees on Council and private land. It enables us to protect trees from indiscriminate damage and removal. It also ensures that current and future generations can continue to enjoy the benefits these trees offer.

For more information see our Classified Trees page.

How do I measure my tree to work out if it is a canopy tree?

Any tree that meets the size threshold is a canopy tree under the Local Law. To work out of your tree is a canopy tree please refer to the Canopy tree trunk measurement diagram [PDF 178KB].

How do I apply for a permit? 

To apply for a permit please complete the Canopy tree pruning or removal permit application form and email the completed form to tree-canopy-local-law@gleneira.vic.gov.au

Alternatively, you can collect a paper copy of the permit application from our Customer Service Centre.

The permit is free.

Who will assess the applications and how long will it take?  

Authorised Council officers under the Glen Eira Canopy Tree Protection Local Law will assess the applications in line with the Canopy Tree Protection Local Law Policy and Canopy Tree Protection Local Law Assessment Guidelines. All permit applications made will be responded to within 14 calendar days from the receipt of the application.  

What happens if Council does not agree to issue me with a permit? 

An internal review process for officer permit decisions made under the Local Law is available to applicants. Once you receive a decision from an officer in relation to your permit application then you can request in writing a review of this decision.  

Council officers will engage an independent arboriculture consultant to undertake a review of the decision when requested by an applicant. Officers will then prepare a report for the Council to determine if a permit should be issued.

A written request for review needs to be forwarded to Council's Canopy Tree Protection Local Law email address tree-canopy-local-law@gleneira.vic.gov.au within 14 days of an applicant receiving a decision from an officer.

Can I prune a tree on my private property without a permit?

There are some exemptions to the permit. A permit is not required to remove or prune these protected trees to make a hazard safe, such as after storm damage. 

You can also undertake minor pruning of a tree protected under the Local Law once a year, without a permit, provided that no more than 10 per cent of the canopy is removed and branches no larger than 10 centimetres in circumference at the point of attachment are removed.

Is there a penalty if I prune or remove a tree on private property if I don’t get a permit?  

The penalty for a breach of the Glen Eira Canopy Tree Protection Local Law is currently set at 20 penalty units as specified within the Local Government Act 2020.

Each penalty unit equates to $100, meaning a total fine of $2,000 may be applied to each offence. If the Local Law is breached, then this fine will also come with a Notice to Comply that will specify any remedial action that a landowner may need to undertake such as planting of a replacement tree.