Why Banyule catches more trees than people expect
Many Melbourne councils protect trees in pockets. Banyule says all of its residential areas have tree protection overlays under the Banyule Planning Scheme. So the starting assumption in Heidelberg, Ivanhoe, Rosanna or Greensborough should be that a sizeable tree could need a permit.
Whether yours does depends on criteria such as its size and species. For pruning, it depends on how much live canopy comes off and whether the work would destroy the tree. The schedules differ across the city, so the council points you to VicPlan to see which ones cover your land.
Canopy tree rules sit on top. When the state changes arrived in September 2025, Banyule described a canopy tree as over 5 metres high, with a trunk over 50 cm around and a canopy at least 4 metres wide. The rule covers trees within 6 metres of the front boundary or 4.5 metres of the rear, and anywhere on a vacant lot.
The Significant Tree and Vegetation Register
Banyule's most distinctive layer is its register. Listed trees get extra protection through Schedule 4 to the Environmental Significance Overlay (ESO4). Amendment C119 applied it permanently to 94 trees or tree groups, and it's been in the planning scheme since 13 October 2022.
Under ESO4, a permit is needed to remove, destroy or lop a listed tree, and to build or carry out works within 5 metres of its canopy. That second part matters for extensions, pools and driveways near an old tree.
Anyone can nominate a tree. The council gives it a preliminary assessment within 6 months, but listing needs a planning scheme amendment from the Victorian Government, which the council says happens roughly every four years. More on registers in our significant and protected trees guide.
When Banyule wants an arborist report
- The application involves 4 or more trees.
- Any tree in it is on the significant tree register.
- The work is tied to a development, such as a new dwelling or units.
Applying for a Banyule tree permit
Check your controls
Look up your land on VicPlan, then ring the Development Planning team. The council asks you to do this before removing any tree.
Fill in the tree removal permit application
List how many trees, the work for each, the species if you know it, and why. Attach a photo of each tree, a plan of the property, and say whether any tree is on the register.
Allow for a site visit
The council says applications may include an inspection, so make sure the tree can be reached.
Wait for a decision
Banyule aims to decide within 10 business days for a single tree, if there were no other applications in the last 12 months. Other tree applications take 4 to 6 weeks.
Building near a protected tree
Banyule treats an encroachment of 10% or more into a tree protection zone as major, and that may not be permitted. It cites AS4970/2009 as the main guidance for protecting trees on building sites, and its protection measures include a fence around the zone, mulch inside it, and no open trenches or changed soil levels.
If a protected tree is damaged during construction, the council says you could be fined or otherwise prosecuted. Builders and owners both have a stake in getting the fencing in before the machines arrive.
Our suggestion
In Banyule we'd assume a permit is needed until the council says otherwise. We'd check VicPlan for ESO4 first, since register trees carry the 5 metre works rule, then call the council with photos ready. If more than three trees are involved, we'd get the arborist report done before lodging, because the council will ask for it.
Want an arborist to look at it?
Tell us the job and your postcode, and a local arborist calls you to talk it through.