Tree removal in Lilydale: what's local
A town that's growing
Yarra Ranges' planning scheme names Lilydale as one of its two Major Activity Centres and expects most of the shire's growth in Lilydale, Chirnside Park and Mooroolbark. More units and townhouses can mean more trees in the way of building.
Two overlays, two thresholds
Significant Landscape Overlay Schedule 22 (Foothills and Rural Townships) names Lilydale in its statement. Schedule 23 covers parts of Lilydale's residential areas. They measure a substantial tree differently, so two Lilydale streets can have different triggers.
Dead isn't automatically fine
Yarra Ranges says a planning permit may be required to remove even a completely dead tree. Its overlays also need a permit to lop protected vegetation, as well as to remove it.
Council prunes some lines
Yarra Ranges Council prunes trees near electric lines in declared areas set by an agreement with AusNet, and Lilydale is one of them. The lines that serve your own property are generally yours to keep clear.
Tree removal permits in Lilydale
| SLO22: Foothills and Rural Townships | SLO23: residential areas | |
|---|---|---|
| Trunk test for a substantial tree | Over 0.16 metres diameter at 1.3 metres, about 0.5 metres around | Over 0.26 metres diameter at 1.3 metres, about 0.8 metres around |
| Also covers | Indigenous vegetation | Substantial trees as defined in the schedule |
| Places named | Belgrave, Upwey, Tecoma, Montrose, Mt Evelyn, Healesville, Lilydale, Mooroolbark | Parts of Chirnside Park, Healesville, Kilsyth, Mooroolbark and Lilydale |
| Lopping | Needs a permit | Needs a permit |
Building near trees in Lilydale
Yarra Ranges asks for an arborist report when proposed work is within 15 metres of a tree, or when it would remove, destroy or lop a tree protected under the planning scheme. That's a wide net on a normal suburban block, so plan for it early.
The report has to come from a suitably qualified arborist and give each tree's size, health and structure, plus its tree protection zone and structural root zone, consistent with AS 4970:2025. Our Melbourne arborist reports page explains what goes in one.
Not sure if a permit applies? Yarra Ranges asks people to call its Planning team, and that's a better use of ten minutes than guessing.
Hiring an arborist in Lilydale
Pull up your property's planning report, see whether SLO22 or SLO23 is listed, and measure the trunk at 1.3 metres with a tape from the ground. That number, plus whether the tree is indigenous to the area, gives you a fair idea if a permit is likely. Then ring council, and bring an arborist in for anything you'd want removed or cut back hard.