Redland tree removal rules
Everything you need to know before removing or pruning a tree in the Redland 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 Redland?
Redland protects effectively all trees on private land — removing or significantly pruning a tree generally needs council approval unless an exemption applies (see below).
Redland City Council controls tree removal on private land through Local Law 6 (Protection of Vegetation), Environmental Significance Overlay under the Redland City Plan, and Vegetation Protection Orders. Protection is based on assessment determining if vegetation is "significant" rather than a simple size threshold. Specific numerical thresholds for height and trunk diameter could not be retrieved from official sources - PDFs are blocked on council servers. Penalty for illegal removal up to 850 penalty units.
When you may not need approval
- Tree within 10 metres of an existing dwelling
- Tree within 3 metres of approved structure (shed, pool)
- Tree within 3 metres of property boundary for fence maintenance or fire break
- Declared pest trees
- Trees posing safety hazard
- Trees interfering with utility infrastructure
How to apply
Permit required if tree is under Vegetation Protection Order (VPO), Tree Protection Area (TPA), or within environmental overlay areas (Environmental Significance Overlay). Exemptions do not apply to protected trees.
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 Redland?
Fill in the tree details and we'll estimate whether you likely need council approval.