Mareeba tree removal rules
Everything you need to know before removing or pruning a tree in the Mareeba area — which trees are protected, the main exemptions, and how to apply for approval. This is the authoritative summary we keep for this council; always confirm against the official source linked below.
Legal basis: Planning Act 2016 + council local laws and Vegetation Protection Orders; Vegetation Management Act 1999 (mainly rural/native vegetation).
Compiled from the council's published rules and cross-checked. Always confirm with the council.
Which trees are protected in Mareeba?
Mareeba generally does not require council approval to remove trees on private property — its tree controls don't apply to private land. Other laws (native vegetation, heritage, threatened species) may still apply, so confirm with the council.
Mareeba Shire Council has no blanket tree protection or tree removal permit requirements for private residential land. Local Law No. 3 permits enforcement of overgrown property cleanup where vegetation seriously affects visual amenity or likely attracts/harbors reptiles or flying foxes—this is discretionary enforcement, not a protection scheme. Native vegetation in Environmental Significance Overlay areas may require assessment under State Vegetation Management Act 1999 (rural/non-urban contexts only).
When you may not need approval
- Not applicable—no tree protection scheme exists
How to apply
No permit required for tree removal on private residential land. Council can enforce cleanup under Local Law No. 3 if vegetation is overgrown and affects visual amenity or harbors reptiles/flying foxes.
Other rules that can override the above
- Council Vegetation Protection Orders / significant tree registers.
- State Vegetation Management Act (native vegetation).
- Federal EPBC Act.
Do I need a permit in Mareeba?
Fill in the tree details and we'll estimate whether you likely need council approval.
Suburbs in Mareeba
- Almaden
- Amber
- Arbouin
- Arriga
- Barwidgi
- Bellevue
- Biboohra
- Bolwarra
- Bulleringa
- Chewko
- Chillagoe
- Crystalbrook
- Desailly
- Dimbulah
- Forty Mile
- Fossilbrook
- Gamboola
- Glen Russell
- Groganville
- Highbury
- Hurricane
- Irvinebank
- Julatten
- Koah
- Kuranda
- Lyndside
- Mareeba
- Mona Mona
- Mount Carbine
- Mount Molloy
- Mount Mulgrave
- Mount Mulligan
- Munderra
- Mutchilba
- Nychum
- Paddys Green
- Petford
- Ravensworth
- Red River
- Rookwood
- Southedge
- Speewah
- Springfield (Mareeba - Qld)
- Staaten
- Strathmore
- Thornborough
- Watsonville
- Wrotham