Tree removal on the Sunshine Coast: what's local
A planning scheme, not a tree law
Sunshine Coast Council regulates vegetation clearing as development under the Sunshine Coast Planning Scheme 2014. A tree can be protected by the vegetation management code, a vegetation covenant, the biodiversity, waterways and wetlands overlay, a drainage easement, or conditions on an old approval. Our Sunshine Coast permit page covers how to apply.
Noosa runs its own rules
Noosa Shire Council is a separate council with its own planning scheme, and that scheme requires a permit to clear vegetation on all private land in the shire. If your rates go to Noosa, ask Noosa council, not Sunshine Coast Council.
Koala habitat
Council says clearing koala habitat inside koala priority areas is prohibited, and the Queensland Government assesses koala habitat clearing outside them. If gums on your block might be koala habitat, find out which side of that line you're on before anyone quotes.
The verge is council's
A permit is needed to clear any vegetation, including trees, on road reserves, footpaths and nature strips, and council generally won't grant one for views or looks. In July 2024 council reported a hinterland resident fined in the Caloundra Magistrates Court over clearing a road reserve.
Council trees over the fence
Council's arborists look at council trees, in a park or on a nature strip, that encroach on your property. It can take up to 4 weeks, so phone council instead if a tree is an urgent hazard.
Energex near the lines
Council says pruning within 1.3m of a powerline must be done by Energex. If a tree has brought a line down, call 000 or Energex's faults line.
Common tree jobs on the Sunshine Coast
Palms around coastal homes, pools and verges: palm trees on the Sunshine Coast, including why a view isn't a reason council accepts.
House sites and acreage in the hinterland, where clearing ties into building approvals and the overlays: land clearing on the Sunshine Coast.
Pruning, from council branches over your fence to your own trees before summer: tree pruning on the Sunshine Coast.
Stumps after a removal, including the ones on the nature strip that aren't yours to grind: stump grinding on the Sunshine Coast.
Questions to ask an arborist on the Sunshine Coast
The Development.i site report for the address, a few photos of the tree from different sides, and a rough idea of what's underneath it (a pool, a shed, the septic, the driveway). If the tree is mapped or covenanted, council takes applications on the state's DA Form 1 with a site plan, labelled photos and a cover letter, and suggests adding supporting information such as an arborist report.
A good quote then says how the tree comes down, whether an application is needed and who lodges it, what happens to the stump and the green waste, and what insurance the arborist carries.
Storm damage and fallen trees on the Sunshine Coast
If anyone is hurt or trapped, call 000. For a tree on the house or blocking access, call Queensland SES or use the SES Assistance QLD app. Treat any fallen line as live and keep well clear. The Queensland Government says trimming trees and overhanging branches is best done before storm, cyclone and monsoon season.
Hiring an arborist on the Sunshine Coast
We'd pull the Development.i site report and read the overlays before anyone comes out to look. If something is mapped, we'd want the arborist's quote to say plainly whether a DA Form 1 is needed and who lodges it, and we'd hold off on any cut until council has answered.