City of Ballarat Tree Removal Services

Ballarat’s Tree Removal Experts

Milone’s Tree Solutions supports property owners across Ballarat Central, Wendouree, Sebastopol, Alfredton and Delacombe. From heritage avenues to suburban blocks, each job needs careful assessment of the tree, site and planning controls.

Our qualified arborists have 20+ years’ experience in tree removal, tree trimming and tree lopping. We also provide stump grinding, prompt emergency tree services and guidance on local council regulations before work begins.

Understanding City of Ballarat Tree Protection Requirements

Ballarat’s planning scheme can regulate both native and exotic trees. VPO2 can cover any tree at least four metres high in a private front garden or road reserve, while VPO1 protects native vegetation.

When You Need a Permit

A planning permit may be needed where any of the following apply:

• A tree at least four metres high is in a private front garden or road reserve covered by VPO2. This control can apply to native and exotic vegetation.
• You propose to remove, destroy or lop native vegetation protected by VPO1.
• Native vegetation, including dead native vegetation, is affected by Clause 52.17.
• The property is subject to a Heritage Overlay, Significant Landscape Overlay, Environmental Significance Overlay, Erosion Management Overlay, Neighbourhood Character Overlay, Salinity Management Overlay or Public Acquisition Overlay that controls vegetation removal.
• The tree is included in Ballarat’s Exceptional Tree Register, which records 4,298 trees on private and public land.
• Under the new statewide Clause 52.37 Canopy Trees provision (introduced 15 September 2025), a planning permit is also required to remove, destroy or lop established canopy trees (over 5 metres tall with a trunk circumference over 0.5 metres and a canopy of 4 metres or more) in most residential zones.

When a Permit May Not Be Required

Exemptions still depend on the control that applies to your land:

• VPO2 allows pruning to improve a tree’s health or appearance if its normal growth habit is not retarded.
• VPO1 allows pruning to improve health or appearance, and certain works that do not remove vegetation or are consistent with an approved development or management plan.
• In a designated Bushfire Prone Area, the state 10/30 rule may apply to eligible existing accommodation buildings.
• The 10/50 rule may apply where the Bushfire Management Overlay applies, with a separate state boundary-fence clearing exemption.

However, we always recommend contacting City of Ballarat or consulting with our professional arborists to confirm whether a permit is required for your specific situation.

City of Ballarat Permit Application Process

Council’s schedule includes vegetation removal but no single-tree fee. Confirm applicable current fees with Council.

How to Apply

Begin with the Planning permit overview and lodge through Council’s eServices portal. Checklist 7 for removing, destroying or lopping one tree asks for the form, fee, title, layout plan, written statement, species, height, trunk girth, reason for removal, replacement planting details and photographs. An arborist report is required where a significant tree is listed in an overlay schedule. Milone’s Tree Solutions can prepare a comprehensive arborist report to support your application, and our tree removal permit advice service can guide you through the process.

Official City of Ballarat Resources

• City of Ballarat Tree Protection
• Ballarat’s Exceptional Tree Register information
• City of Ballarat planning permit overview

Sources last checked: 7 August 2026.

The information provided on this page is intended as general guidance only. Permit requirements for tree pruning, removal, and any works vary between local councils and may change without notice. If in doubt, or for the avoidance of doubt, Milone’s Tree Solutions strongly advises all customers to conduct their own due diligence and contact their local council directly to confirm whether permits, consents or approvals are required before proceeding with any tree works. Milone’s Tree Solutions accepts no responsibility or liability for any loss, penalty, or action resulting from reliance on the information contained herein or from failure to obtain the necessary permits prior to works being undertaken.

Common Trees Across the City of Ballarat

Ballarat’s varied tree mix makes species identification important.

• Dutch Elm (Ulmus x hollandica): Dutch Elm is one of the species identified in the Exceptional Tree Register and sits within Ballarat’s strong elm tradition.
• English Oak (Quercus robur): English Oak is included in the Exceptional Tree Register and is part of Ballarat’s established historic tree character.
• Golden Ash (Fraxinus excelsior ‘Aurea’): Golden Ash is another registered exceptional species that may need careful inspection and pruning planning.
• Tasmanian Blue Gum and Messmate: These native eucalypts are included in the Exceptional Tree Register, where native vegetation controls may also be relevant.
• Sierra Redwood and Coast Redwood: These large conifers are recorded in the register and require specialist consideration due to their size and site footprint.
• Elms and Poplars: The 22-kilometre Ballarat Avenue of Honour contains 3,771 trees, planted across 23 original species and dominated by Elms and Poplars.