Your feedback will be considered in finalising Significant Tree Policy.

A tree on private land will be included on the Register if it meets any of these criteria:

• A trunk diameter, measured at breast height, of 50 centimetres or more
• A height of 15 metres or more
• Canopy cover of 100 square metres or more
• Additionally, irrespective of the above criteria, a tree may be included in the Significant Tree Protection Register if it meets any of the relevant requirements set out by the National Trust. Please see the draft Brimbank Tree Policy for more information.

Yes, once the draft Street Tree Policy is adopted, Council will facilitate the nomination process.

In 2018 Council updated the General Local Law and it included Clause 9 as follows:

9. Significant Trees

9.1. Under section 112 of the Act, Brimbank City Council’s Significant Tree Policy (Policy), as amended and published from time to time, is wholly incorporated into this Local Law and should be interpreted and understood as such.

9.2. An authorised officer who reasonably believes that a person has contravened the Policy may issue a notice under Part 11 of this Local Law.

9.3. A person must not, without a permit or specific written instruction from an electricity service provider, remove, damage, destroy or lop a significant tree or engage another person to remove, damage, destroy or lop a significant tree.

9.4. A person removing, damaging, destroying or lopping a significant tree on the basis of specific written instruction from an electricity service provider must retain a copy of the written instruction for 12 months from the date works on the significant tree are carried out.

By establishing the Significant Tree Protection Register, landowners will require approval from Council for any works to a significant tree. Future developments will not be limited but will need to consider any Significant Tree in their design and apply for a Tree Work Permit. Any request to remove a tree due to new buildings work will consider the retention of the tree as a priority. If the tree cannot be saved then a replacement location of a new tree will be required. Penalties will apply if Significant Trees are removed illegally.

• Council will collate a list of private trees that meet the significant tree criteria.
• A letter will be sent to landowners advising them that their tree is now registered as a significant tree and why this has occurred.
• Information will be provided to landowners on the process for obtaining a permit for any works relating to the tree.
• Landowners will be advised about Local Law permit and related information.