Baw Baw Shire Council Tree Removal Services

Baw Baw’s Tree Removal Experts

Milone’s Tree Solutions provides practical tree care across Warragul, Drouin, Trafalgar, Yarragon and Neerim South. From town blocks to farm properties and the ranges, our qualified arborists bring 20+ years’ experience to every tree removal job.

We also provide tree trimming, stump grinding and emergency tree services for damaged or unstable trees. We can help you understand local council regulations and when specialist tree lopping may be appropriate.

Understanding Baw Baw Shire Council Tree Protection Requirements

Baw Baw Shire requires a planning permit to remove, destroy or lop native vegetation on lots larger than 0.4 hectares. A permit may also be needed at any lot size where heritage or other planning controls affect the land.

When You Need a Permit

A permit may be needed in the following situations:

• You propose to remove, destroy or lop native vegetation on a lot larger than 0.4 hectares.
• Native vegetation removal is caught by Clause 52.17 of the Baw Baw Planning Scheme and no exemption applies.
• The property is affected by a heritage or other planning control that separately triggers a permit.
• 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.
• You plan mechanical works within a road reserve. Council requires a Working Within Road Reserve permit for this work, and landowners cannot prune Council-owned urban trees.

When a Permit May Not Be Required

There are important exceptions, but they are site-specific:

• Clause 52.17 contains exemptions for native vegetation removal where no other planning control separately requires a permit.
• The stated native-vegetation trigger applies to lots larger than 0.4 hectares, although other planning controls can still apply to smaller lots.
• 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.
• In the highest-hazard areas identified by the Bushfire Management Overlay, the 10/50 rule and some fence-line exemptions may apply.
• Landowners may prune vegetation obstructing sight lines with hand tools without a permit.

However, we always recommend contacting Baw Baw 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 Baw Baw Shire Council. Report concerns about council-managed trees to council rather than arranging private works.

Baw Baw Shire Council Permit Application Process

Fees for vegetation and planning applications vary. Baw Baw Shire does not publish a tree- or vegetation-removal fee specific to this type of work, so confirm the current charge with Council before lodging.

How to Apply

Start through Council’s official Planning permits page and review the vegetation checklists. Set out the species, measurements, reason for work and photographs, with an arborist report where helpful. 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 Baw Baw Shire Council Resources

• Native Vegetation permit information
• Planning permits
• Tree Management Plan, May 2024

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 Baw Baw Shire

Baw Baw’s townships, farmland and ranges support a mix of locally important eucalypts and established exotic trees. Council’s Drouin significant-tree material identifies the following species and tree types as important in the area:

• Strzelecki Gum (Eucalyptus strzeleckii): This species is listed as Vulnerable under the EPBC Act and Threatened under the FFG Act, with its remaining trees concentrated largely in West and South Gippsland.
• Mountain Grey Gum (Eucalyptus cypellocarpa): Drouin’s Mountain Grey Gums can exceed 30 m in height and have girths over 4 m.
• Messmate (Eucalyptus obliqua): Identified in Council’s Drouin significant-tree material.
• Manna Gum (Eucalyptus viminalis): Identified in the same local material.
• Blue Gum (Eucalyptus globulus subsp. globulus): A locally identified eucalypt.
• English Elms and Oaks: These exotic trees are also protected under the Heritage Overlay in the Drouin material.