Bass Coast Shire Council Tree Removal Services

Bass Coast’s Tree Removal Experts

Milone’s Tree Solutions provides tree care across Wonthaggi, Cowes, Inverloch, Grantville and San Remo. Our qualified arborists bring 20+ years’ experience to tree removal on coastal, island and inland properties.

Our team also delivers tree trimming, stump grinding and emergency tree services. We can explain local council regulations and when specialist tree lopping is suitable.

Understanding Bass Coast Shire Council Tree Protection Requirements

Bass Coast uses planning controls and a local-law tree protection system. The detailed triggers below cover overlays, native vegetation and Protected or Significant Trees.

When You Need a Permit

You may need a planning or Local Law Permit where:

• Land is covered by a Vegetation Protection, Significant Landscape, Erosion Management or Environmental Significance Overlay, unless exempt.
• You remove native vegetation on land greater than 4,000 m² under Clause 52.17, which may involve offsets.
• The tree is a Protected Tree, with a single or combined trunk circumference greater than 155 cm at 1 m above ground, excluding declared noxious weeds.
• The tree appears on Council’s Significant Tree Register. A Local Law Permit is required to remove, destroy, lop or work within its Tree Protection Zone.
• Clause 52.37 Canopy Trees applies in most residential zones other than Low Density Residential. It covers a canopy tree over 5 m high, with a trunk circumference over 0.5 m at 1.4 m and a canopy of at least 4 m, in the specified frontage and rear-boundary locations.

A separate Local Law Permit is not required where a planning permit trigger already applies.

When a Permit May Not Be Required

These site-specific exceptions may apply:

• Vegetation posing an immediate risk of injury or property damage may be removed without a permit, but only the part presenting the risk.
• Works authorised by a planning permit, required by legislation or directed by Council are exempt from the local-law process.
• Declared noxious weeds are excluded from the Protected Tree definition, but there is no blanket weed exemption for Significant Trees.
• In a designated Bushfire Prone Area, the 10/30 rule can allow clearing within 10 m of an eligible accommodation building and vegetation other than trees within 30 m, where it was constructed or approved before 10 September 2009.
• The 10/50 rule applies only in the highest-hazard Bushfire Management Overlay areas. Some fence-line exemptions may also apply.

However, we always recommend contacting Bass Coast Shire Council or consulting with our professional arborists to confirm whether a permit is required for your specific situation.

Note: trees on nature strips, road reserves and parks are managed by Bass Coast Shire Council. Report concerns about council-managed trees to council rather than arranging private works.

Bass Coast Shire Council Permit Application Process

Bass Coast publishes the following Local Law Permit fees per tree. Council issues the invoice after its arborist reviews the application:

• Removal of a Protected Tree: $229.00
• Removal of a Significant Tree: $468.00
• Pruning or lopping of a Protected or Significant Tree: $104.00

How to Apply

For a planning permit, use Council’s official Planning permits and forms page. Complete the form with species, measurements, reasons, photographs and an arborist report where relevant. Lodge by email, then wait for Council’s invoice before payment. 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 Bass Coast Shire Council Resources

• Trees and vegetation planning information
• Significant Trees and Protected Trees
• Planning permits and forms

Sources last checked: 7 August 2026.

Disclaimer:

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 Bass Coast Shire

Bass Coast’s coastal setting and Phillip Island localities call for site-specific tree work. Council’s preferred canopy tree list includes:

• Moonah (Melaleuca lanceolata): On Council’s preferred canopy tree list.
• Coast Banksia (Banksia integrifolia): A locally preferred canopy species.
• Coast Manna-gum (Eucalyptus viminalis subsp. pryoriana): On Council’s preferred canopy tree list.
• Drooping Sheoak (Allocasuarina verticillata): A preferred canopy species.
• Silver Banksia (Banksia marginata): Included in Council’s canopy tree palette.
• Scented Paperbark (Melaleuca squarrosa): Listed for Bass Coast landscapes.