Tree Protection Local Law 2010 No.17
Frankston City Council has a deep commitment to environmental protection and a greener municipality through planting new trees and taking care of our existing canopy cover.
Trees create softness and beauty in otherwise harsh streetscapes. They help define the character of local areas within the municipality, creating a sense of identity, a sense of community and a sense of place. Trees purify the air we breathe, provide important habitat for our fauna, shade our footpaths and streets, help control erosion and urban runoff, and play a role in traffic management. They also add significantly to the enjoyment of our City and to the value of properties.
The Tree Protection Local Law came into effect on December 17th, 2010 and aims to protect our community forest by maintaining tree canopy on private land.
A Local Law permit is required to:
- Remove, damage, kill or destroy
- Prune, cut, trim, top more than one-third (1/3) of the outer-edge of the canopy
- Undertake any works that encroach within more than 10 per cent of the Tree Protection Zone*.
any tree with a trunk circumference equal to or greater than 110 cm (centimetres) measured at the base. See diagram below.
* Tree Protection Zone means the circular area with a radius from the centre of the trunk equal to 12 times the diameter of the trunk (measured at 1.4m from the base of the tree). The minimum distance is 2m
When is a Local Law permit not required?
A permit is required to undertake removal, pruning or works within the Tree Protection Zone as stated above unless:
- The tree has a trunk circumference of less than 110cm measured at the base
- A permit for tree removal is required under the Frankston Planning Scheme (please check with Town Planning)
- There is an exemption from the need for any planning permit under clause 52.48 of the Frankston Planning Scheme
- The tree species is considered a weed species and listed in the Local Law No. 17 - Schedule 3 "environmental weed"
For further information on the Vegetation Exemptions under 52.48 of the Frankston Planning Scheme download a copy of the Amendment-VC83-Vegetation-exemptions document.
How do I apply for a permit?
To apply for a Local Law permit a completed Tree Protection Local Law application form must be submitted with the required supporting information and the prescribed fee.
Tree Protection Local Law application forms can be downloaded using the link below, obtained from any Frankston City Council Customer Service Centre, or via the post by telephoning Frankston City Council on 1300 322 322.
Incomplete applications will not be processed until all required information is provided. Details are provided in the Information Sheet available to be downloaded below.
Download the Tree Protection Local Law Application Form.pdf
Download the Tree Protection Local Law No. 17 - Fact Sheet - Dec 2011
Download the Tree Protection Local Law 2010 No.17.pdf
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